MacDougall making a name in Columbus

COLUMBUS, GA – Being that most Canadian hockey players come from small towns, it is understandable that fans may scratch their heads when a name first appears on a roster. When that player turns out to be a gem, a lot of the credit for finding such a star is lauded on the coach or scouts.
In the case of Columbus Cottonmouths’ forward Peter MacDougall, it was a bit of small town knowledge and collegiate brotherhood that helped lead him to southwest Georgia.
Prior to his signing with the Columbus on November 14th, most Snakes fans may

not have heard of MacDougall. Fortunately for them, MacDougall knew all that he needed to know about the franchise and its loyal followers without having set foot in the city.
First, a little background. MacDougall grew up on a farm near Lumsden, Saskatchewan, a town in the Qu’Appelle Valley 31 kilometers northwest of Regina in the south central part of the province. It is well known for its artistic community as well as its farming. It is home to a little over 1,600 people according to its website.
Like most young Canadian boys, Peter MacDougall wanted from the start to be a professional hockey player and just like most, his family played a key role in his development – especially his father.
“I grew up in a hockey family. All my siblings played hockey. My sisters helped me get into the gym,” he said. “My dad grew up when fighting was more prevalent in hockey. He planted in my head (that) you had to do what it takes to make a team. It’s followed me along that I need to do what’s best to make the team. I like getting under the other team’s skin. If they’re worried about me, it helps our team.”
Naturally, he had his hockey heroes as a youngster. One of them, Ryan Smyth, just happens to be the brother of Jared Smyth who played for the Cottonmouths back in 2000-2001 when the franchise was part of the ECHL. MacDougall said that he followed the elder Smyth because his style was closest to his own.
“He doesn’t scrap much but he likes to get his nose dirty,” MacDougall said.
Early on, MacDougall’s skills as an enforcer-type were well in evidence. He played junior hockey for the Weyburn (Sask.) Red Wings of the SJHL and in three years (2003-2006) amassed 567 penalty minutes to go along with 10 goals and 28 points in 154 games.
From Weyburn, MacDougall headed to Canisius College to play for the Division I Griffins. In 128 career games, he tallied eight goals and 27 points in addition to 396 penalty minutes.
MacDougall started the fall of 2010 in camp with the Adirondack Phantoms, the AHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers. Although he was cut by the Phantoms, the experience left an impression.
“I got to play with some great players,” MacDougall said. “Most of those players are under contract. You kind of watch them and watch their preparation. You read off of it and see what you need to do to change your game.”
Which leads back to the story about how he ended up in Columbus. Cottonmouths’ coach Jerome Bechard knew MacDougall through his wife Rhonda, who also grew up in Lumsden. Being such a small place, the Bechards became friends with MacDougall‘s family.
“He’s from my wife’s home town and we knew him fairly well. We know his family fairly well,” Bechard said.
Remembering Bechard’s position as coach and general manager of the Cottonmouths as well as the friendship between the two families, MacDougall knew where to call when he needed a job.
“I had talked to Bechard in the summer and being from his wife’s home town, I kind of owed it to him,” MacDougall said.“When I was released, he’s the first person I called. He gave me a chance to keep playing hockey.”
The other part of the lure was a college connection. One of MacDougall’s teammates at Canisius was goaltender Andrew Loewen, who just happens to be one of Columbus’ net minders. Having a former teammate in the same professional dressing room was reassuring for the rookie.
“We played all four years in college (together). We came in the same class and had the same major. We spent a lot of time together and hung out a lot in college,” MacDougall said. “It always helps to know someone in the dressing room when you come (to) some place new.”
So far, MacDougall has adjusted well to his new surroundings. He has two goals – both of them game winning tallies – and nine assists in 26 games but it is the 74 penalty minutes and his willingness to “do whatever it takes” that has made the rookie a fan favorite. He and Jeff MacPhee have filled the void of resident tough guy that Dan Leslie once held. MacDougall has also become one of the best face-off men on the Snakes roster.
He’s also beginning to learn a few things about the SPHL, like which opposition building he likes and which one he needs to bring his own beverages to.
“My favorite barn is in Knoxville. They have a lot of fans, it’s a small barn and there’s a lot of banging,” he said.“My least favorite would probably be Pensacola because their coffee maker stinks. I like to get off the bus and have a (cup of) coffee but when I get there, I have to wait a half hour.”
He’s also learning about the players who make their living in the SPHL. When asked if he could name a few, the first that popped into his head was Huntsville’s Billy McCreary.
“He (McCreary) likes to get under the other team’s skin but he doesn’t drop the gloves very often,” MacDougall said. “Whatever he does, I can give it back. He’s just a little runt.”
Despite the fact that hockey seems to be wanting to get away from the fighting aspect of the game, MacDougall said he sees a practical purpose to it.
“I played college for four years and I know what it’s like when there’s no fighting. Guys are a little more chippy and there are more dirty hits. They just hammer guys when they don’t have the puck. They bring their sticks up more,” he said. “There’s got to be room for it (fighting). The ref can only see so much.”
For now, Peter MacDougall will keep dropping the gloves in defense of a teammate, keep taking face-offs, keep scoring and keep on pleasing his coach and the fans. If he does all that, pretty soon everyone will know his name too.
Contact the author at lee.marion@prohockeynews.com