Bud was a big defenceman, 6'4 and 200 lb. He played three seasons of junior hockey in Edmonton (1944–46) and then spent a year with the Oshawa Generals. In 1947-48 MacPherson joined the Edmonton Flyers and won the Allan Cup. He played part of the next season with the Montreal Canadiens and became a regular in 1951-52, He won the Stanley Cup in 1952-53. His play started going downhill in 1954-55 and he spent more time in the minors. Bud won the Calder Cup in 1958-59 with the Hershey Bears and ended up his career with the hometown Edmonton Flyers in 1961.