One on One with Florida Panthers Draft Pick John McFarland

I am very proud to say that I was recently able to get an interview with third year  Wolves forward and 2010 Florida Panthers draft pick John McFarland on some of his thoughts on the upcoming season.

Anthony Bumbaco: First of all congratulations on being drafted into the NHL. Could you tell me a little bit about what it was like to attend the NHL Combine as well as the NHL entry draft and ultimately be selected in the second round by the Florida Panthers?

John McFarland: The NHL combine was an interesting experience that I felt I learned a lot about myself and what others thought about me also. Being drafted in the 33rd overall to the Florida Panthers is a tremendous honour.

AB: Were you at all disappointed that you were not selected in the first round of the draft?

JM: I think at the time I was obviously disappointed with being selected in the 33rd overall but ultimately at the end of the day it’s not when you go its what you do with it afterwards and that’s what I'm looking forward to.

AB: As you head into your third season with the Wolves, do you expect to assume a much larger leadership role with the club both in the dressing room and on the ice? Do you think there will be any added pressure to do so as an NHL draftee?

JM: I think obviously coming into my 3rd year I will definitely be expected and I want to take a bigger leadership role and I am looking forward to being able to be that person. I think pressure is something that has been there my whole career and something I thrive upon so therefore I am not worried about it at all.

AB: What are your personal goals/expectations for this season both individually and for the team as a whole?

JM: Coming into this season I don't have any personal goals other than to be a leader and to learn and continue to improve as a player and a person. As a team I think I am going into this one with an open mind and with it being a fresh slate for us as a team to which I am very excited about.

AB: Do you think there’s a chance that you will be able to grab a spot with the World Junior team this winter after attending the tryout camp in 2010, if so what will you do differently this time around to insure yourself a place on the team?

JM: To be completely honest I am not looking to far ahead and World Juniors is something that is completely out of my control, right now I am focusing on Sudbury and doing my best there to help that team improve and win hockey games. Obviously it would be a tremendous honour and a privilege to play for team Canada at such an event.

AB: In what areas both on and off the ice do you think you need to improve most this season? What areas do the Wolves need to improve most?

JM: I think you always want to get better in every area of your game. So I am looking forward to doing that. I think as a team it’s going to be a lot different and a lot new players so I think it will be important to find a way to gel early in the season.

AB: What are your thoughts about attending your first NHL training camp with the Florida Panthers?

JM: I am very excited to go to Florida and be apart of the training camp there. It’s an exciting time and something I’ve been looking forward to since I was drafted.

AB: What are you most looking forward to in the 2010-2011 season?

JM: I am just excited to get back to playing hockey and having a clean slate.

AB: Any prediction on how the team will fair/ what kind of team the fans should be looking forward to seeing in 2010-2011 in Sudbury?

JM: As a team and for the fans they can expect us to be a team that leaves it on the line every night and battles till the buzzer goes.