John McFarland, 21-year-old right-winger for the San Antonio Rampage, scored the last two goals —including an overtime goal with 15 seconds left—to beat the defend- ing AHL champions, the Grand Rapids Griffins last Sunday, Jan. 26. McFarland’s inspiring play has given the Rampage a bright spot in an otherwise low season.

McFarland has been playing professionally since the 2008-2009 sea- son where he started out as a right- winger for the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). The OHL is one of the three Major Junior Ice Hockey Leagues that make up the Canadian Hockey League.

In his first season in the OHL, McFarland represented Team Cana- da in the World U-17 Hockey Chal- lenge, where he would win the sil- ver medal. While with Sudbury, he was drafted 33rd overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the Florida Panthers.

McFarland continued playing for Sudbury for three seasons before going to the Saginaw Spirit, another OHL team, for two seasons. His last OHL team was the Ottawa 67’s, where he played for one season.

John was then signed by the American Hockey League (AHL) San Antonio Rampage in the 2012- 2013 season, but soon found his way to the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) where he played the re- mainder of the season and part of the next with the Cincinnati Cy- clones. He was then abruptly called back up to the Rampage this past season where he is quickly cement- ing his place within the team.

McFarland was born April 2, 1992 in Richmond Hill, Ontario. In Richmond Hill, he grew up around hockey at the young age of four years old. John looked up to his older brother, Paul, when he was a youngster. Paul successfully played in the OHL where McFarland would eventually get to play.

“He’s kind of been my mentor, the

guy I always looked up to,” says Mc- Farland of his brother.

McFarland has many hobbies that he enjoys. Of them he loves to golf, fish, visit his cottage, and spend time with family. McFarland prefers Chicken Parmesan as his pre-game meal, but he insists that steak and potatoes is his favorite dish.

McFarland’s favorite movie is “Coach Carter” along with “Invin- cible.” “It ’s very inspiring,” says the Rampage right-winger.

Judging by his last performance for the Rampage, many fans will undoubtedly find McFarland very inspiring.