 He committed to and played collegiate hockey at Cornell University of the Hockey East.While developing his defensive awareness with Cornell, MacDonald struggled offensively at the collegiate level, registering just 21 points through 104 games in his four-year career.As a free agent following his senior season with the Big Red in 2014–15, MacDonald made his professional debut in signing with the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL to end the regular season on March 26, 2015.