17. It’s September, everyone’s in great shape, in a great mood, optimistic about the season to come. But of all the comeback attempts, all of the players looking to resuscitate their careers, the one that grabs most is John McFarland’s.
Ten years ago, McFarland was the number one pick in the Ontario Hockey League, by Sudbury. Eight years ago, he was the 33rd selection in the big-league draft, by Florida. He was sent to the ECHL before he made the NHL, and the Panthers moved on after a three-game trial in 2015-16. He went to Finland and Switzerland, with his 2017-18 season ending in mid-November because of a right shoulder that needed surgery.
“It was a lingering thing,” McFarland said Sunday. “I’d gone (to Switzerland) knowing it wasn’t amazing. It needed to be reconstructed, from the collarbone to the shoulder itself.”
McFarland was back in the gym two weeks later, but wasn’t cleared for contact for five months. Meanwhile, his agent (Mark Guy) worked on finding new employment. There were overseas offers, but no real nibbles in North America. Then came a call from Edmonton’s assistant to the president of hockey operations, Bill Scott.
“They had some notes on me from the past, and I think he has a friend at the gym where I train. I’m very fortunate they called. Thankful. There were times after the surgery I worried I wasn’t going to get another job.” The Oilers signed McFarland to an AHL/ECHL contract. He was sent to AHL Bakersfield last week for the start of that training camp.
18. McFarland’s issue wasn’t behavioural (people say very good things about him), but he just wasn’t competitive enough to make the most of his skills. His brother, Paul, an assistant coach in Florida, is “a big part of my support system,” and the two worked hard to make sure John was prepared for this. “I had nerves at the start” of Edmonton’s camp, John said. “I tried to make myself realize I’ve been there before.”
Did the Oilers say much to you? “No,” he answered. “But I assume no news is good news. All I think about now is making Bakersfield. I’m more mature than I used to be, a better hockey IQ, I’ve learned little pieces from every coach that I had. I’m really excited to show what I am now.”