Ask Aidan McDonough about his budding hockey career, and his response is sure to include two particular people: his mom, Judy, and his dad, Barry.
Blessed by receiving his mother’s athletic genes and inspired to play the sport because of his father, McDonough, a 19-year-old left wing in his first season with the United States Hockey League’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, credits them for everything he’s accomplished in his life.
“They’re both my rocks, and I talk to them every day even though I’m out in Iowa,” said the Milton, Mass., native, who is second on Cedar Rapids in goals with 21 and fifth in points with 36 in 45 games this campaign. “My mom is the best mom in the world. She played volleyball at Providence College and is the athlete in the family. I don’t know if my dad would like me saying it, but I got my athletic ability from her.”
McDonough, 6-3, 190 pounds, adds that he got his large frame from Judy, too.
“She’s pretty tall,” he said.
Barry, though, was the person responsible for introducing him to the ice game.
“My dad grew up playing hockey and got me started at two years old,” McDonough said. “He went to Xaverian Brothers High School (in Westwood, Mass.) and played there. He was a forward. He didn’t play in college, but he’s always been a big fan of the game and knows a lot about it.”
Barry passed his hockey knowledge down to his son, who considers his father one of his role models.
“My dad taught me to be confident in myself and my abilities,” McDonough said, “and to have fun and work hard.”
McDonough grew up a Boston Bruins fan and at age five started playing competitively for Milton Youth Hockey and its Mite team. He then advanced to the South Shore Kings, with whom he played from first through eighth grade.
He labels Jason Rathbone, one of his coaches with the Kings, as another role model.
“Mr. Rathbone, ever since I was young, has preached to me to get to the net,” McDonough said. “I remember him always telling me to get to the net and shoot the puck, and to play physical, too, and make sure I finish my checks.”
McDonough is grateful that he was able to play for Rathbone and also Neil Shea, his other coach during his time with the Kings.
“They both played hockey at a high level at Boston College,” he explained. “They preached things that I still hear today from my coaches – play a good 200-foot game, play hard and strong hockey, be creative and move your feet. I’m best friends with their sons, and they remain two influential guys for me today. They know a lot about the game, and I’m really thankful for them.”
After suiting up for South Shore, McDonough competed for two clubs, the Cape Cod Whalers and his prep school squad at Thayer Academy, in each of the next four seasons.
Balancing school work and playing for a pair of teams presented a fresh test, but one that he passed by utilizing a valuable skill.
“It’s all about time management,” McDonough stated. “The teachers at school and Thayer coach (former National Hockey League right wing) Tony Amonte were really good about making sure we got our work done before we focused on hockey. But with some long road trips, there were times you were doing your homework on the bus or during the car ride.”
While attending Thayer, McDonough’s education went beyond the classroom and the rink, as he learned how to push himself and get out of his comfort zone.
“As an athlete, hanging around with the boys and playing hockey was my comfort zone,” he revealed. “I joined a lot of clubs at school, such as the business club. I was a tour guide and a peer advisor at school. Doing things like that, where I was more involved in the community, was definitely out of my comfort zone, but I’m really glad that I did those. I had the best four years of my life at Thayer. The best decision of my life was to go there.”
McDonough continued to live at home while he was a student at the academy since it was only a 15-minute drive away. However, once he made the leap to the USHL that was no longer an option. And as with many young players, the experience of being away from home provided some new life lessons.
“First off, my billet parents here are unbelievable,” McDonough said. “It’s a home away from home. They’ve taken me in and treated me like one of their own kids. But being on my own without my parents and without school has been a little bit different. The guys on the team and the coaches have made it an easy transition though.”
The move from Massachusetts to the Midwest has been equally smooth on the ice, where his teammates and coaches have helped him quickly adjust to the higher level of hockey.
“Our team has a lot of USHL rookies, and the captains and the veterans are awesome,” McDonough said. “We don’t have any rookie treatment on the team. Everyone is equal and everyone feels welcome. If anyone has any questions or any problems, everybody is ready to help out.”
The biggest piece of advice he’s received from the staff and his peers has been, “You’re here for a reason. Don’t doubt yourself.”
Noted McDonough: “It’s easy to get down on yourself because it’s such a good league and you might go a couple games without scoring.”
However, the left-handed shooting forward has taken their words of wisdom to heart, and it’s shown in his successful performance between the boards and glass.
“It’s definitely a big jump from prep school to the USHL,” he explained. “It takes some games to get used to the speed, size and physicality of the guys, but after that it’s just hockey. Everyone in this league is good, and you have to use your strengths and trust your instincts. If you do that, you’ll be successful. I have a big body, so I just get to the net and shoot the puck.”
McDonough describes himself as “a power forward who can score goals, make plays and create offense.”
He continued, “I like to play physical and play hard, and I’m a shoot-first player. I like to shoot the puck and I like to get in front of the net.”
Of all his hockey skills, McDonough feels his skating and his mental toughness are the two areas in which he’s made the greatest strides since joining Cedar Rapids.
“By playing in this league and practicing with such good players every day, my skating and speed have improved the most,” he said. “I’ve picked up a step or two since coming here. And I’ve learned how to battle through adversity. We have a good team, but we’ve had some ups and downs. I’ve been hurt twice -- I hurt my back at the beginning of the year and then had a concussion -- and have gone through ups and downs. You have to learn how to stay even-keeled, and you have to keep working hard, keep putting in the extra work and do the little things that will help you be successful.”
McDonough’s fortitude in the face of adversity and strong work ethic should come as no surprise. He’s used the entire campaign to demonstrate his value after a disappointing moment last June when he wasn’t selected in the 2018 NHL draft after being ranked 209th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in its final rankings.
“Everybody’s dream is to get drafted into the NHL,” McDonough said. “I didn’t really have any expectations last year, but to not hear my name called added a little bit more motivation last summer into this season. I wanted to prove that I’m a good player, that I deserve to be called and that I could play in that league some day.”
McDonough hopes he’s plucked in the upcoming NHL draft, but even if he isn’t, he has big plans coming up this fall when he starts playing college hockey at Northeastern University.
“I live only 10 minutes away from the school, and growing up I always wanted to go to a Beanpot school,” McDonough said. “It’s the right fit academically, socially and hockey wise. I have a really good relationship with (head coach) Jim Madigan and (associate head coach) Jerry Keefe. I see what they’ve done with the program over the last couple of years and how players are developing there. Players leave there a lot better than when they went in.”
He’s also well aware of the target that’ll be on the backs of the Huskies next season since they’ll be attempting to defend the club’s 2019 Hockey East championship.
Concluded McDonough: “I have big shoes to fill, but I’m excited for the challenge.”
