He played for the junior Inkerman Rockets, most notably when they played in the 1950-51 Eastern Canada Memorial Cup Playoffs against the Quebec Citadelles and Jean Béliveau. Brian McFarlane attended St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, on a hockey scholarship, graduating in 1955. In his four years he scored 101 goals for the Skating Saints, which remains a St. Lawrence record. On three occasions, he scored five goals in a game, a school record shared with several others.