BRIAN McFARLANE: THE HOCKEY PLAYER

Most of us know Brian McFarlane as a distinguished hockey broadcaster, historian and author. But few are aware of his accomplishments on the ice. Last fall, McFarlane was recognized for his work as  a member of the St. Lawrence University hockey team.

I had the chance to sit down with McFarlane and discuss his time at the school, which is located in Canton, New York. Our talk began with the weekend when he was honoured by the University.

"It was a wonderful weekend and I was really surprised. They call it the Legends of Appleton, the arena when I went there in 1951. The arena was brand new and the boards were varnished. I'd never seen varnished boards in a hockey rink."

Looking back, McFarlane has no regrets of his decision to head south of the boarder to continue his education and play hockey.

"I've often said it was the single best decision I've ever made in my life. I was a failing high school student in Ottawa (Ontario) and the vice-principal actually laughed when I told him I was going to college. He said, 'you going to college, that will never work.' Well, it worked well for me. My marks shot-up and I got to be class president."

Then, there was the incentive to lace-up his skates and continue to play the game he loved.

"Our junior team played an exhibition game in Lake Placid," said McFarlane of the first step in his journey. "After the game, the coach came in and told me he was organizing a hockey team for the next season. He asked, 'how would you like to go here?' I told him I'd love to come here. I'd already half-committed to an elite college further down in the State, but my marks probably wouldn't have gotten me in there. And they didn't have a hockey program or radio station on the campus. So, St. Lawrence was a perfect match for me."

While most hockey players pursued other paths to advance their goals, McFarlane's choice was unique for the time.

"We certainly were pioneers," stated McFarlane of his decision to combine learning and sport. "I think my scholarship was $600 and a job in the cafateria paid my room and board. I had eleven guys working for me, all hockey players, running the cafeteria as waiters. That was a real blessing getting the room and board paid for."

Along with attending classes and performing his duties at mealtime, McFarlane applied his skills on the ice. His record-setting production is still legendary at St. Lawrence University.

"We only played about 20 games a year. That's why I'm so surprised some of my records for the St. Lawrence University Saints still stand. No one has scored 101 goals down there but me. I had 10 hat tricks and three 5 goal games."

I asked the Hockey Hall of Fame broadcaster to describe his game and what he brought to the table. And as expected, McFarlane was modest in his assessment.

"I couldn't shoot the puck, but I could pass it. I wasn't a fast skater and I wasn't a strong guy, but I still tried to knock guys around. I made plays and I could put the puck in the net."

Although he was tucked away at a college in the United States, McFarlane's talent didn't put him off the radar screen.

"I had a tryout with the Chicago Black Hawks one fall. But I was really worried I might get suspended for skating with professionals. Nobody in the NHL was interested in college players. They were the last-place team in the league at that time. But I realized I wasn't going to get an opportunity. And I think it was just as well. If I'd made the NHL, I would be on a fourth line or in the American Hockey League."