X-Men soccer veterans carry memory of friend on the pitch

Seamus MacDonald wears No. 4 in honour of Andrew Milner

By Corey LeBlanc

There are countless reasons why athletes – if they have the choice – wear a particular number on their uniforms.

It could be anything from being a 'lucky' one to the date of their birthday; maybe it is the number of siblings they have, or one once worn by a favourite player.

The possibilities are endless.

This season, for fifth-year soccer goalkeeper Seamus MacDonald, the digit emblazoned on the back of his beloved X-Men jersey carries the deepest of meanings.

With the No. 4, the Antigonish native is honouring his friend – Andrew Milner – who died tragically in a canoeing accident in southeast B.C. in 2019.

He was only 19 – his passing coming just a couple weeks before his 20^th birthday.

"I am lucky to be able to call him one of my best friends," MacDonald says.

He and Milner, who also grew up in Antigonish, met while sitting next to each other in a math class at Saint Andrew Junior School.

Their shared love of sports – not mathematics – became the cornerstone for a lasting friendship.

"We played whatever we could," MacDonald remembers.

Describing themselves as a "competitive duo," he adds, "We pushed each other," whether it was in gym class or during a pick-up game.

"We became closer and closer."

As they grew older, MacDonald decided to focus on the soccer pitch, while Milner selected the basketball court. Both budding athletes excelled.

"We helped each other a lot," he says.

MacDonald notes he would often rebound for his friend, when he was practicing his shooting, while Milner would take shots on him to help sharpen his keeper skills.

"We always knew that we wanted to compete at that level," MacDonald explains of their goal to play their respective sports in university.

After graduating from high school, they did just that with MacDonald joining the X-Men soccer program, while Milner headed west to don the colours of the Calgary Dinos in Canada West basketball competition.

"We were lucky – we appreciated having that opportunity."

As university students, the distance in their friendship was solely geographical. MacDonald notes that they talked frequently – keeping up with each other's progress, while providing support and encouragement.

"We kept in touch all the time," he says.

MacDonald was amongst the friends and family from Antigonish cheering on Milner – in his first season – and the Dinos as they captured the U SPORTS national championship in 2018 in Halifax.

That wasn't the first time that the talented guard garnered a national crown. He was a key contributor to the Basketball Nova Scotia teams that won back-to-back U18 banners.

"Andrew had a fantastic two seasons," MacDonald says of his time with the Dinos, noting it was "amazing" to share that national-title moment with his close friend.

Before Milner could play his junior campaign – one where Dino coaches expected him to blossom with increased minutes and responsibilities – tragedy struck.

When Milner suited up for Calgary in that freshman season, there was also a familiar face in the stands – to both him and MacDonald – for his home games.

"It was pretty cool," Jack Kennedy – a fourth-year defender with the X-Men soccer program – says of having that opportunity, one highlighted by seeing his long-time friend score his first U SPORTS basket.

At that time, Kennedy was spending a gap year after high school in the Alberta city in which he was born.

"We became fast friends," he remembers of meeting Milner in Grade 4, after his family moved to Antigonish, where Kennedy's father, Graham, joined the X-Men soccer coaching staff.

The younger Kennedy notes that they spent a lot of time together growing up, until Milner moved to Rothesay Netherwood – a prep school in New Brunswick – in Grade 10, with an eye towards furthering his basketball career.

"Our friendship stayed really strong," Kennedy says, adding that in sports – and life – they always remained "super supportive of each other."

'An amazing person'

As for what made their close friend so special, the X-Men teammates agree there were countless qualities, ones that he shared with so many people.

"Andrew was always there for you," Kennedy says.

He adds, "Everyone liked to be around him."

Noting that he had a broad and diverse circle of friends, Kennedy fondly remembers how Milner respected – and befriended – people from all walks of life.

"It's pretty cool – Andrew touched a lot of lives," he says.

MacDonald adds that it didn't matter if he was amongst a group of friends, or meeting someone for the first time, Milner made everyone feel great; he had a special way with people.

"Andrew made everyone feel welcomed, comfortable and loved," he says.

Kennedy offers that his "favourite thing" about Milner was the "really, really strong relationship" he had with family, including his parents Ellen and Billy, along with his younger sister and brother.

"He was always at their games and supported them so much," Kennedy says of the connection Milner had with Sophie, who is in her freshman basketball season with the Nipissing Lakers of U SPORTS, and Jack, a goaltender drafted in 2021 by the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL.

As for what he misses most about his friend, he offers, "Sitting down with him and talking," while noting that their conversations – from serious to funny – were always enjoyable.

MacDonald notes that he still can't believe that his friend is gone.

"He was so outgoing, such an amazing person to be around," he says.

'Right there with him'

When it comes to the idea of offering MacDonald with the opportunity to wear Milner's jersey number this season, Graham Kennedy reflects on the "tremendous loss" for not only friends, but also his family, which lost a "treasured" son, brother and grandson.

"And, our community lost a special young man, who was a champion in every area of his life," the elder Kennedy and X-Men head coach offers.

Although his life was cut short, he adds that Milner's "impact still influences his family and friends."

"We wanted to remember that in some small way," Kennedy says, noting that Milner also played soccer growing up in Antigonish.

He adds that – when MacDonald pulls that No. 4 jersey over his head on each game day – "It's a reminder that his best friend is still right there with him."

Noting that he originally wore No. 13, Jack Kennedy says Milner donned No. 4 in his championship run with Basketball Nova Scotia, so he kept it when he moved to the U SPORTS level with Calgary.

"It is pretty special," he adds, noting that it offers both him and MacDonald with a connection to their close friend while on the pitch.

Kennedy explains that having Milner's presence helps put things in perspective when they are fighting through fatigue and battling adversity.

"We know that he is with us, and supporting us," he says.

Kennedy also makes sure to credit his mother, Joanie, an incredible and unwavering supporter of the X-Men program, with her contribution to helping bring this heartfelt idea to fruition.

MacDonald offers the same level of praise for her while reflecting on finding out that he would be wearing No. #4 this season.

After a pre-season team meeting, he remembers X-Men assistant coach Pat Thomson asking the players to stay behind for a few moments.

"I never expected it – it was hard to hold back the tears," MacDonald says of that moment he was presented with his new jersey.

He adds, "They decided to surprise me and it worked."

MacDonald notes that he was "very honored" that his coaches believed that he deserved what he describes as "such a privilege."

Although Milner has always been with him when he takes the field, he says that wearing his number has "brought him a little closer."

MacDonald and Kennedy also credited Josh Read – their X-Men captain and teammate – for giving up, without a second thought, the number that he had worn during his stellar career in White and Blue.

"It would make that experience even more memorable," he says of fulfilling the dream – in his final AUS season – of winning a conference banner.

MacDonald explains that the experience has been about "so much more than just the number."

"It symbolizes how Andrew was an amazing person and incredible leader."

Noting that he was already filled with "great pride" every time he put on the White and Blue of STFX, MacDonald describes this season as a "totally different feeling" because he has been able to honour Milner while playing in front of his family and friends.

"It means the world to me."

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