Joe McDonald

JOE McDONALD, was born in Providence, R.I., raised in Cranston and professionally groomed in Boston. He’s the senior hockey writer/columnist and will cover the Bruins and Red Sox for BostonSportsJournal.com.

Education: Joe graduated from Cranston High School East, where he captained the hockey and baseball teams. He then made the decision to attend junior college at the Community College of Rhode Island because he had no idea what he wanted to do with his life. Joe played for both nationally ranked hockey and baseball programs. That included an appearance in the 1992 NJCAA World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado. After two years in JUCO, he took a brief hiatus from school before transferring to Roger Williams University, where he studied communications and journalism under legendary professor, Edward J. Delaney. At the time, Joe was balancing school with a job at the Providence Journal. 

Career: His real education came during his 18 years at the nation’s oldest daily newspaper, the Providence Journal. He started his career in circulation in 1992. After three years of learning about distribution, Joe was promoted to the sports department as an editorial assistant in 1995. Finally, in 2001 he became a sports writer, covering the Bruins, Red Sox, Patriots, PawSox and P-Bruins. In 2010, he was hired by ESPNBoston.com to cover the Bruins and Red Sox. Joe became a national hockey writer for ESPN.com in 2014. He became Mr. Mom between April 26 and Aug. 18, 2017. 

During his career: Joe became an award-winning writer. He covered Sox’ three World Series titles in 2004, ‘07 and ‘13. Joe has covered four Stanley Cup finals, including the Bruins’ ‘11 championship. He’s an active member of the BBWAA and the PHWA. Joe also has a vote for the National Baseball Hall of Fame. 

Personal: Joe resides in Cumberland, R.I., with his wife Michelle, and two children, Sean and Maggie. Joe enjoys sitting in Boston traffic on a daily basis. If you want to talk hockey after a Bruins game, it’s a sure bet you’ll find him at The Fours across from TD Garden. His golf game is terrible but he enjoys showing off his hybrid slap shot/hit-and-run golf swing that makes the ball do some funky things. He enjoys coaching his son’s hockey team, the Woonsocket North Stars, and Joe wants to help build the sport at the grass-roots level. He can’t wait to watch “Slap Shot” with his son for the first time.

Getting to know Joe

Fondest sports memory growing up: As a member of his Mite-A hockey team, Joe practiced with Bobby Orr shortly after the hockey legend retired. Joe’s office is shrine to No. 4. 

Sports memory you’d like to have a mulligan on: As a second baseman for the Auburn American Legion team in 1992, made the game-losing error during the playoffs to end the season. The worst part, his future wife was sitting in the stands at her first baseball game.

Favorite Boston sports moment you’ve witnessed: There are too many to describe, but being on the ice after the Bruins won the Stanley Cup in '11 in Vancouver was pretty amazing. What occurred in the press box afterwards was even better, but you’ll have to ask him about that story.

The snapshot moment you love as a reporter: Knowing you have the respect of your peers, the readers and the athletes that you cover.

Favorite amateur Boston sports spots: St. Peter’s Field, the home of the Oldtime Baseball Game, in North Cambridge. The other is Steriti Ice Rink in the North End, where many pickup games used to be played during Bruins game days.

On a rare off day, you’ll find me: At a variety of youth sporting events, on the golf course or hanging in the McGrotto with family and friends, enjoying a few libations.