McFarlane ready for any role with the Storm

By Josh Brown, Kitchener Record

GUELPH — Ben McFarlane has gone from the go-to guy to the supporting cast.

And that’s just fine for the Ayr native.

The 16-year-old spent the season leading the Jr. B Cambridge RedHawks in scoring but now finds himself thrust into the Ontario Hockey League playoffs as a depth forward with the Guelph Storm, who hold a 2-0 lead on the Kitchener Rangers in their best-of-seven western conference quarterfinal.

Game 3 is set for the Aud Tuesday at 7 p.m.

“I never thought I’d actually be here,” said the five-foot-nine, 160-pound winger. “It has been a dream come true since I was a little kid. It’s pretty cool to learn from all the older players and listen to their experiences.”

Guelph loaded up at the trade deadline to take a stab at an OHL title and has packed its lineup with veterans.

But that didn’t stop the Storm from summoning McFarlane for 13 games during the season and more permanently once his RedHawks were ousted by the Waterloo Siskins in the first round of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League playoffs.

McFarlane picked up a pair of assists in limited regular-season action with the Storm and impressed bench boss George Burnett.

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