By Olivia Boyd '12
A hulking forward from Macomb, Mich., John McCarron comes to the Big Red after spending parts of the past three seasons competing for the USHL's Lincoln Stars. He discusses his experience in the nation's top junior league — including his stint as captain — Buffalo Sabres prospect camp this summer, and what he's looking forward to most the rest of this season with the Big Red.
Q: You spent parts of the past three seasons with the USHL's Lincoln Stars, serving as team captain in 2010-2011 and leading the team to a berth in the playoffs. What have you taken away from your experience with that team?
A: Going there at such a young age, I was only 16, I got to learn a lot from the older guys as I progressed through my years. I was able to mature, get better at hockey and mature as I lived on my own, making my transition to college that much easier. I wanted to bring my strengths to Cornell and hopefully use what I've learned to be successful here.
Q: You entered the junior leagues at 16, what made you start so young?
A: They drafted me in the Futures Draft so I went down on a visit to see what it was all about and the coach offered me a spot so I thought I might as well go and take advantage of my opportunity.
Q: You were selected as a mid-season all-star last season and received league player of the week honors in April. Is there an accomplishment from your time with the Stars you are most proud of?
A: Being chosen as one of the captains is pretty humbling and shows that the guys respect me and that's what I want to see myself as, so I was proud of that.
Q: Is there a moment or specific play that you'll always remember from that team?
A: My favorite moment was when I scored my first goal there, being so young. I wasn't one of the best guys so being able to score and have 5,000 fans cheering for me was unbelievable and made me want to score that much more.
Q: You were invited to the Buffalo Sabres prospect camp this past July, what was that experience like?
A: That was pretty crazy. I got a call when I was up north golfing and they said they had a spot that opened up and I had to get there right away. Tyler Ennis was there, one of the players on the Sabres and a couple of guys that are playing up there now. Just to be able to compare myself to where they are and see how hard they work so that I know what it's going take to get to the next level.
Q: What made you choose Cornell?
A: I always wanted to come somewhere with good academics and obviously Cornell being Ivy League I knew I would be challenged. Also, with the hockey team gives me the best of both worlds, good hockey and a good school. I couldn't ask for anything better, so that's why I chose Cornell.
Q: You've had some pretty exciting games so far this season; do you have a favorite moment?
A: I'd say it'd have to be Madison Square Garden. I've never played in a venue like that, with 19,000 fans, I think 15,000 were from Cornell so it was pretty loud and it was just a really good experience for me. It was pretty overwhelming in the beginning but to get used to it by the end of the game was unbelievable.
Q: What are you looking forward to as you move forward with the season?
A: Obviously the goals for the team are to win the ECACs and get to the Frozen Four and to also come together as a team. I need to find the back of the net, too, and find my first goal here.
Editor's note: True to his word, McCarron notched his first collegiate goal in the first period of the Big Red's 3-1 victory over then-No. 6 Colorado College on Jan. 6.
