For a kid who grew up just down the road in Lakeview, this season at Niagara University carries a little extra meaning for forward Declan McDonnell.
A true Western New York product, McDonnell (6 goals, 8 assists for 14 points in 16 games) was raised just outside Buffalo, where hockey and family were always central to his life. With relatives in Hamburg and deep local ties, coming home to play college hockey is about more than convenience.
Now, games at Dwyer Arena are just a short drive away for the friends and family who have followed his journey from the beginning.
"Being home has been really nice," he said. "Seeing family and friends, and just being somewhere familiar is great."
Built in Western New York
McDonnell's career began locally, skating in Hamburg before moving on to West Seneca before playing three seasons with the Buffalo Junior Sabres of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). From there, his path took him north of the border, spending time with the Kitchener Rangers and the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League, two very different hockey towns that helped shape him as a player and a person.
Kitchener brought city energy, while Barrie offered a smaller feel with easy access to cottage country and Toronto. Together, they provided high-level competition.
"I played in Kitchener for two years and Barrie for two years," he said. "It was awesome. I loved it."
McDonnell tallied 81 points in 90 games in Kitchener and 82 points in 99 games with Barrie. He also did a 16-game stint with the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League in 2020-21 as an emergency callup, recording two assists.
After playing major junior hockey in Ontario, McDonnell spent two seasons at St. Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Experience That Matters
Now, at 23, McDonnell is able to bring that experience to the Purple Eagles. He's already navigated multiple leagues, systems, locker rooms, and expectations. That background shows up in subtle ways: knowing how to adapt quickly, helping younger teammates find their footing, and understanding how long a season can feel with back-to-back games most weekends from October to March.
"I've played in a bunch of different leagues and I'm always adapting to new guys and new systems," he said. "Our group has been really close. The chemistry has been there. For me, it's just about being an older guy and being a role model."
Focused Beyond the Rink
Off the ice, McDonnell is just as focused. A business major, he's interested in investments or banking and spent part of last summer working an internship at a downtown Buffalo advisory firm, balancing office life with skating, workouts, and helping out at a local hockey academy.
Local Talent, Local Pride
For Niagara, tapping into local talent like this is important, said head coach Jason Lammers. The Buffalo-Niagara area is a hockey hotbed, and bringing in local talent only helps the program succeed.
"This area produces a lot of high-end hockey players, and when you can keep that talent close to home, it's only going to make your program better," Lammers said.
Looking Ahead
As Niagara opens the second half of the 2025–26 season, McDonnell is excited for what's to come.
"I'm really excited for the second half of the season," he said. "I think we've built a lot already, and now it's about putting it all together and playing our best hockey when it matters most."
