Michael Farren’s destiny in playing for the Saskatoon Blades was not always set in stone. It took some work on both ends of the relationship for the 5-foot-10, 168-pound forward to end up playing for the Bridge City Bunch.
“I was listed in midget and then I got brought into camp and Dean (Brockman-Saskatoon’s head coach) was pretty good to me and introduced himself to me after the first day. We talked a lot. Then I had a couple of good games and met Colin (Priestner-the Blades’ general manager) after. I ended up going home and after three days I couldn’t say no and ended up signing,” Farren said.
After piling up points and winning a title in the BCMML with the Valley West Hawks, Farren took the big step to the WHL. He did not expect to be playing big minutes, but fate intervened.
“At the start of the year I did not expect that. I was playing on the fourth line and one of the guys got injured, I was put in a situation where I was moved up in the lineup and got played a little more. I guess the puck hopped my way a couple of times and I was pretty happy with it. I really enjoyed my time here and everybody around me.”
Farren ended up potting eight goals and adding 22 assists for 30 points in 63 games as a 16-year-old.
The leaders on the 2016-17 Saskatoon squad gave him some good advice that he took to heart this summer.
“Our 20-year-olds last year would always say that you have to get bigger and stronger. They would always tell me that. I went home and tried to do that. I’m hoping it will help me win a few more puck battles in the corner.”
He is adding more to his game this year, thanks to another group of overage forwards in Cameron Hebig and Braylon Shmyr,
“Also with Shynk (Jesse Shynkaruk), I have noticed that they are never shy about shooting the puck. I think I need to work on that a little bit more, just spinning and shooting. Lucky bounces can happen and pucks can go your way. Anything can happen. Shmyr has been a really good example, I really like how he plays. He is a really good passer. Both Hebig and him are great players.”
Farren, who has three goals and four assists in his first 30 games this year, cannot help but dream about his name getting said on a microphone next June in Dallas.
“It’s crossed my mind a little bit. I’m pretty sure everybody draft year it does. I think it would be a dream come true scenario. It’s every 17-year-old kid playing in this league’s dream.”
To help him get drafted, he is spending some extra time with the team’s assistant coach Ryan Keller.
“Kells has been helping Chase (Wouters) and I after practice on showing us to shoot a little more. I think that is the thing I really need to just work on that. Shoot from any angle-bad or good.”
Unlike the many other highly drafted WHL players, Farren had been off the radar for many NHL scouts and teams. His big rookie year and the strides he has made in his game this season have garnered him some hard won attention. Farren was recently listed as a “C” rated prospect by NHL Central Scouting. It is safe to say, he is clearly on their radar now. If he keeps shooting the puck, his stick could rise even more.
