When the Edmonton Oilers skated into their fourth-ever NHL game on October 19, 1979, they walked out of Northlands Coliseum with not just a victory but a milestone. Blair MacDonald recorded the first hat trick in the franchise’s NHL history, powering the Oilers to a 6-3 win over the Quebec Nordiques. The performance also marked the Oilers’ first NHL win, cementing MacDonald’s place in the team’s earliest big moments.
The Oilers carried a 2-1 lead after the opening period, and MacDonald wasted no time widening the gap. Early in the second, he struck twice, his 3rd and 4th goals of the 1979-80 season. Doug Hicks and a teenage Wayne Gretzky set up the first, while Al Hamilton and Brett Callighen assisted on the second, which would stand as the game-winner. Both goals beat Quebec goaltender Michel Dion.
MacDonald capped the night with his third goal in the final minute of play, again assisted by Gretzky. He also added an assist of his own on a Callighen tally, finishing with four points and a team-leading six shots. On the Nordiques' side, Marc Tardif paced all skaters with seven shots, scoring twice on Eddie Mio and helping set up a Serge Bernier goal.
The 1979–80 season would be MacDonald’s finest NHL campaign. His four hat tricks tied him with Marcel Dionne for the league lead, and his 46 goals ranked second on the Oilers behind Gretzky’s 51. But his time in Edmonton was short-lived, MacDonald was traded to Vancouver midway through the 1980–81 season in a deal involving Lars-Gunnar Pettersson, Ken Berry, and Garry Lariviere.
About Blair MacDonald
Blair MacDonald carved out a reputation as a natural goal scorer long before he made his NHL mark. Born in Cornwall, Ontario, he became a prolific junior forward with the Cornwall Royals of the QMJHL, posting standout offensive totals that propelled him into the professional spotlight. His scoring touch earned him early attention from the World Hockey Association, where he would take his first major step as a pro.
MacDonald joined the Edmonton Oilers during their WHA days and quickly proved he could generate offense at the major-league level. His best WHA season came in 1977-78, when he recorded 34 goals and 64 points in just 60 games, a performance that solidified him as one of the team’s most reliable finishers. Skating alongside young talents like Wayne Gretzky during the Oilers’ final WHA season, MacDonald was part of the transition core that bridged the franchise’s move into the NHL.
After leaving Edmonton, MacDonald spent time with the Vancouver Canucks, contributing secondary scoring and veteran presence through the early 1980s. Although his NHL role diminished compared to his peak years, he remained an intelligent shooter with strong positional instincts. His pro career later included stops in the minor leagues, where he continued to produce offense and mentor developing players.
