Born in the Bronx, New York, MacFarland played collegiate hockey at Pace University where he received a bachelor's degree in business in 1992 and later graduated from the university's law school in 1998. He began his career on the business side of ice hockey as an intern in the NHL's New York office from 1993 and worked in the NHL Productions office while attending law school.[1]
Executive career
Columbus Blue Jackets
MacFarland joined Columbus prior to the 1999–2000 campaign and served as the manager of hockey operations from 2001 to 2007 before being promoted to assistant to the General Manager, Scott Howson, in July 2007.
MacFarland remained in the Blue Jackets organization for 16 years, serving in all facets of management and spending his final two seasons within the organization as the General Manager Blue Jackets' minor-league affiliate, the Springfield Falcons.[2]
Colorado Avalanche
On May 21, 2015, MacFarland was hired by the Colorado Avalanche to serve in the same capacity of an assistant general manager to Joe Sakic. Working closely with Sakic, MacFarland played a pivotal part in helping the Avalanche rebuild from finishing last in the league in the 2016–17 season to capturing the Presidents' Trophy in 2020–21 and winning the Stanley Cup in the following 2021–22 season.[3]
On July 11, 2022, MacFarland was promoted to the general manager for the championship-winning Colorado Avalanche, with Joe Sakic assuming the president of hockey operations role.[1]
Personal life
Chris and his wife, Chandra, have three sons, Jake, Gavin, Sawyer, and a daughter, Cara.[4]
