Joel Farabee (born February 25, 2000) is an American professional ice hockey left winger for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Farabee was drafted in the first round, 14th overall at the 2018 NHL Entry Draft by the Flyers.
Growing up in Cicero, New York, Farabee competed with the Syracuse Nationals, Buffalo Jr Sabres, and Selects Hockey Academy at South Kent School. He joined the USA Hockey National Team Development Program in the United States Hockey League (USHL) before committing to play NCAA Division I ice hockey with the Boston University Terriers men's ice hockey team. During his time in college, Farabee tied for second in goals and third in points amongst rookies while leading the Terriers in goals, points, power-play goals, shorthanded goals, game-winning goals, plus-minus, and shots. In recognition of his efforts, Farabee received the Tim Taylor Award as college hockey's Rookie of the Year, Hockey East Rookie of the Year, and was selected for the Hockey East All-Rookie Team.
Farabee concluded his collegiate career on March 25, 2019, by signing an entry-level contract with the Flyers and was reassigned to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms to begin the season. He made his NHL debut on October 21, 2019, subsequently becoming the first Flyers player to be born in the 2000s. By the conclusion of the shortened 2019–20 regular season, Farabee recorded 21 points through 52 games.
Personal life
Farabee was born on February 25, 2000, to business owner Dave and nursing supervisor Pam Farabee in Cicero, New York. Farabee credits his older brothers Jake and Jesse for inspiring his love of hockey saying, "I always watched them. They were on older teams. They inspired me to want to get to that level." He also credited his grandfather as being a role model for him growing up. Farabee's grandfather Joe Klodzen was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball who, while never making the major league roster, competed in their minor league system. As his father was born and raised in Philadelphia, Farabee grew up a fan of Philly sports teams including the Philadelphia Eagles.
Playing career
Amateur
As a child, Farabee competed with the Syracuse Nationals at the Bell Capital Cup in Ottawa before playing above his year level with the Buffalo Jr Sabres at the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. During the Bell Capital Cup, he led the team with six goals and one power play point. In the ninth grade, when Farabee was recruited to play junior hockey in the Selects Hockey Academy at South Kent School, his family began taking his future career in hockey seriously. He played on the SASKS U16 National team before joining the USA Hockey National Team Development Program and competing in the United States Hockey League (USHL). Farabee was chosen to captain the team in his second year by coach Seth Appert as a result of his "competitive, all-around game that belies his size." Although originally committing to play NCAA Division I ice hockey with the University of New Hampshire, he changed his commitment to Boston University of Hockey East in 2015.
Farabee played one season with the Boston University Terriers men's ice hockey team, recording 36 points in 37 games. He praised his time with the Terriers, saying, "I think my down-low, below-the-goal-line game has gotten a lot better than it was a year ago...As far as protecting the puck and holding onto it and not making plays too fast to where I turn it over. That’s the big thing at the highest levels. That’s why college hockey was so good for me." He finished the 2018–19 season tied for second in goals and third in points amongst rookies while leading the Terriers in goals, points, power-play goals, shorthanded goals, game-winning goals, plus-minus, and shots. In recognition of his efforts, Farabee received the Tim Taylor Award as college hockey's Rookie of the Year, Hockey East Rookie of the Year, and was selected for the Hockey East All-Rookie Team.
Leading up to the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Farabee was ranked 12th amongst all North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. He was listed as and was measured at 4 percent body fat during the NHL Scouting Combine. However, through showing his offensive prowess as team captain in the Development Program and at Boston University, Farabee was selected in the first round, 14th overall, by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft on June 23, 2018. Speaking afterwards, Farabee said he was hoping to be drafted by Philadelphia because he was a fan of the Flyers growing up.