USA Hockey Magazine

SUMMER 2026 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM // 19 McDonald's spirit can still be felt today and through his namesake foundation, which began in January 2024, as $70,000 has been handed out in scholarships to cover league dues. T h e n o n - p r o f i t p a r t n e r s w i t h t h e multi-regional charity Leveling the Playing Field, which collects and redistributes gear. The foundation holds annual golf and hock- ey tournament fundraisers in September and December that draw local notables including Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham and former Flyers Paul Holmgren and Kimmo Timonen. "Seeing that would give Greg real satisfac- tion because Greg was always about giving kids opportunities and a sense of belonging through hockey," Patti said. The foundation hosts its first leader- ship conference in January 2027 at Saint Joseph's University, where Greg played college hockey and studied accounting and finance. The event focuses on lead- ership development through sports. It includes workshops on mindfulness, men- tal health, and balancing the demands of family, school and athletics—challenges he experienced firsthand. At age 10, the northeast Philly native embraced a leadership role in his family after his mother passed away from breast cancer at 28, Patti said. It didn't go unnoticed. As he entered Father Judge High School, an anonymous donor paid Greg 's high school tuition and hockey dues for all 4 years. Greg took that generosity to heart. "We still don't know who did that, but it absolutely shaped who Greg was and how he gave back when he was with us," Patti said. "That was the genesis of the founda- tion; his desire to give back. That's why he had a leadership role in the early stages of the Eagles Autism Foundation. It was very near and dear to him to be inclusive and be involved." Greg left a lasting impression within the Grundy Senators, Lawrence Flames, Princeton Junior Tigers and Council Rock North organizations. "My father and I went to practice shortly after he passed and you felt his presence missing from the whole organization," said Kyle, a goalie for the Senators. "His advice was more than just Xs and Os, although he definitely knew the game. He had great attention for detail. He was always making sure the kids knew he wanted them to succeed off the ice as much as on the ice." "The game would be so much better if everyone approached it the way he did," he added. "I'm just one of the lucky ones who got to know him." P "He was always making sure the kids knew he wanted them to succeed off the ice as much as on the ice."

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