John McLaren

The saves John McLaren made during his goalie years have been described as “sensational”, “marvelous”, and “spectacular”. Although he has since passed away, his legendary goaltending still lives on in scrapbooks and newspaper clippings kept by past teammates, friends, and family members. Born April 13, 1913, John McLaren was the son of Dr. Thomas Orton McLaren and Cassie McCuaig.

He was educated in local schools in Lancaster, and then at CCVS in Cornwall, where he performed admirably in track and field. He competed in the Eighth Annual Schoolboy Track and Field Championships at the University of Toronto Stadium on June 11, 1932, when he was 19 years of age.

There, he participated as part of the Ottawa District competitors, and came in fourth in the second heat of the 440 yard run. At the fourth annual EOSSA track and field meet held at Lansdowne Park, he again competed in the 440 yard run, where he placed second to E. Whitney also of Cornwall.

But despite his success in track and field it was hockey where McLaren excelled. His “superb” goaltending helped teams such as the Cornwall Canadians, Maxville Millionaires, and the Lancaster Rainbows out of many dangerous situations and into many prestigious victories.

He has been described as the “backbone of each team” he has played for, and called “ a student of the game” and “great innovator.” As part of the Lancaster team, which won the Frank T. Shaver trophy for three years in a row (1938, 1939, 1940). McLaren’s name was found all over the newspapers, being listed as one of the key players in virtually every game. Clarence White, who was a former teammate of McLaren, wrote play by play descriptions of the Lancaster playoffs in a scrapbook.

In many of these game descriptions, he mentioned the importance of McLaren on the team and the quality of his goaltending. In the first game of the 1940 playoff again Maxville, White notes, “McLaren saved Lancaster from a disgraceful defeat by marvelous goaltending, Jumping Johnny was the star.” McLaren himself seemed to take the playoffs and goaltending in general easily. After the end of the series between Lancaster and Williamstown, McLaren commented on the match up. “I had an easy time of it, against Williamstown,” he said.

One newspaper article, published in 1940, boasted the Lancaster team’s acquisition of the Shaver trophy. In the article, it gave thumbnail sketches of each member, and listed first was John McLaren. “Weight, 135. Goalie and Captain.

Born and raised in Lancaster, Johnnie seems to improve every year and is playing the best hockey of his career. “He is 25 years old and has seen service with numerous Cornwall teams including Bessborough Juniors, Kingcots and Les Canadiens.”

After playing with the Lancaster club, McLaren played with the Maxville Millionaires, where he once again stood out. “Individual star of the playdowns was goalie McLaren of the Millionaires, whose consistent shot-blocking was one of the biggest features of his team’s success,” reported a local paper after a Maxville – Alexandria match-up.

While with the Maxville club, McLaren was coached by Lancaster resident, Pete Bonneville. In addition to his acclaimed hockey career, McLaren also served overseas in WWII where he was based in London. He later married Norma McLeod of Cornwall, and then moved to Lancaster. He died December 13,1979, of diabetes and after the amputation of both his legs.

McLaren could be considered something of a legend when it comes down to his goaltending. He contributed everything he had to each one of his teams, and played a large role in their victories.

Jumping Johnnie was a star.