Friends continue growth as coaches

Kyle Makaric and Andrew Donaldson continue their journey in the coaching world, each taking on exciting new roles for the upcoming season.

Makaric has signed on as an assistant coach with the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League, while Donaldson is heading overseas to join ESV Kaufbeuren of Germany’s DEL2 as an assistant coach.

Donaldson will be reuniting Todd Warriner, who is now leading ESV Kaufbeuren. "It's good, there's some familiarity there," said Donaldson, who shared the bench with Warriner when they were assistant coaches under Kevin Hamlin with the Windsor Lancers for three seasons.

"A ball of emotions. Scared. Nervous. Excited. I think it's just too good of an opportunity to pass up. A lot of good hockey people. The team I'm going to has been around since 1946 so a rich history and I'm excited to go."

In a bold move to further his coaching career, Donaldson left a steady engineering job to pursue this opportunity abroad.

"Even if it's for a year, this is my NHL. It's wild. "

Friends since their Jr. C days, Makaric and Donaldson celebrate each others new gig

Donaldson shared the story of when Makaric found out he was getting the Saginaw job. They were at a concert together when Makaric got the call turning the night into a celebration.

"It's kinda surreal." Donaldson told Powerplay Sports.

He and Makaric have been closely intertwined for years. They first teamed up coaching AAA hockey in Windsor before taking on roles with the Chatham Maroons of the GOJHL. After their stint in Chatham, the duo reunited for a season with the University of Windsor Lancers before Makaric moved on to the Leamington Flyers.

"It's great to see him (Donaldson) chasing his hockey goals and we can actively live through new experiences together and hopefully we can meet back up in the middle some day." Makaric said.

Makaric seized his moment

Makaric's journey to Saginaw started when he met head coach Chris Lazary at a coaches conference. "I talked to him a little bit. Mentioned our paths were similar and I've been following Saginaw for a while and I really like the stuff that they do."

The Spirit had a full list of candidates for a vacant assistant position that was available, leaving no room for Makaric to interview. That is, until one of the candidates dropped out, opening the door for Makaric.

"I thought it (job interview) went really really well. That's all I wanted. One opportunity to talk to these guys."

Makaric says being surrounded by an Essex-County hockey community rich in coaching talent has helped him grow throughout his journey. "The Lancers program for sure. A lot of good coaches have come from there. Windsor-Essex County is a hotbed for coaches and being to work with some of the best around, even with Dale (Mitchell) in Leamington last year, to kinda rub elbows with the best and learn from guys like that was key."