Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of Holly Gunning
- Name: John McFarland
- Position: C
- Shoots: Right
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 192 lbs
- Birthdate: 1992-04-02
- Eligible for Draft: 2010
- Drafted: 2010
- Hometown: Richmond Hill, Ontario
- Acquired: 2nd round (33rd overall), 2010
- Playing In: CHL
John McFarland
Prospect Grade: 7.0 C (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
2007-08: McFarland scored 96 goals with 69 assists in 49 games with the Toronto Junior Canadiens Junior A team. He was selected in the first round (first overall) by the Sudbury Wolves in the OHL Priority Draft. McFarland was the MVP of the 2008 OHL Showcase Tournament.
2008-09: McFarland made his OHL debut with the Sudbury Wolves and opened with a flourish - scoring 5 goals with 6 assists over one twelve game span to be named the OHL's Rookie of the Month for October. In 58 games with the Sudbury Wolves, he scored 21 goals with 31 assists. McFarland was -30 playing for the last-place Wolves and recorded 36 PIM. McFarland was the second-leading scorer for fourth-place Team Canada at the WJC U-18 tournament with 3 goals and 5 assists. 6 PIM and a +7 plus/minus.
2009-10: In 64 games for the Wolves, McFarland scored 20 goals and added 30 assists for 50 points. He added 70 penalty minutes to his offensive totals. In 4 playoff games for the Wolves, McFarland scored 3 goals. McFarland was the captain of Canada's team at the Ivan Hlinka U-18 tournament and he scored 4 goals with 1 assist and was -3 with 8 PIM for in six games for seventh-place Team Canada at the WJC U-18 tournament. McFarland played for Team Orr at the 2010 CHL Top Prospects Game.
2010-11: McFarland began his third season in the OHL with the Sudbury Wolves before being traded to eventual West Division champ Saginaw in December. After an initial scoring burst following the trade, McFarland once again proved to be a streak scorer - scoring goals in bunches and then going stretches with little offensive production. In 12 games with Sudbury he scored 6 goals, four of which came on the power play, with 4 assists and was -5 with 13 PMs. In 37 regular season games with Saginaw he had 19 goals with 9 assists and was an even plus/minus with 33 PMs. He scored three power play goals and three short-handed goals with the Spirit. In 12 playoff games for the Spirit he was third on the team with 5 goals and added 4 assists with a -5 plus/minus.
Talent Analysis
McFarland's stock as a prospect has been diminishing due to periods of what some have termed inconsistent or indifferent play and the lack of positive results in junior hockey. He is a highly-skilled player with loads of talent and was one of the fastest skaters in his draft class. McFarland plays with an edge and isn't afraid to drop the gloves. He has a powerful wristshot. McFarland has focused on other areas of his game and appears to be developing into a more well-rounded player. He is a boom-or-bust prospect with incredible upside if he pans out.
Future
The Panthers showed this summer that they still have confidence in MacFarland’s skills, and signed him to an entry-level contract. MacFarland did some good things at the Panthers development camp over the summer, and played as if he had something to prove. Still, he needs an impressive training camp this fall, followed up by a breakout season in the OHL, if he is to regain his status as a top prospect.
Stats
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Profile Last Updated: October, 12th 2011
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