Having just embarked on his eighth professional hockey season, North Andover’s Bobby Farnham feels he is a more mature player now.

He is more cerebral, a bit less likely to drop the gloves for a fight, and better understands how to prepare his body for the grind of a hockey season.

But the emotions that surge through him as a new season begins are no different than when he began pursuing his lifelong dream.

“It is always a special feeling to begin a new season,” said Farnham, “It’s a new set of nerves, anxiety, and excitement that’s brought on by a different set of challenges and goals.

“Hockey has always been a passion of mine, ever since I laced up the skates at Brooks School to skate when I was 3-years-old. That passion has only grown with time. Hockey never feels like a job, and as I grow older my appreciation for the sport and everything it has given me grows.”

The former Eagle-Tribune hockey MVP kicked off a new season two weeks ago, when the Florida Panthers opened training camp.

It is the latest stop in the winding career of the 29-year-old tough guy forward that began in 2012 after closing out his career at Brown University.

“I’m always excited to start a new season,” said Farnham, a member of the legendary area Farnham athletic family. “I truly value my time off in the summer and the amount of time I get to spend with family and friends. But I’m always eager to get back in the locker room with teammates and get on the ice for training camp. I love to play hockey.”

UPS AND DOWNS

The 2018-19 season is Farnham’s second with the Panthers organization. Barring a change, he will once again open the year with the team’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Springfield (Mass.) Thunderbirds. It is a situation that Farnham, who is on a two-way NHL-AHL deal, understands and embraces.

“There is so much uncertainty in pro hockey and I am always prepared to take on any role that is presented,” he said. “Last season, I definitely took on the role of a veteran in the AHL. I’m constantly striving to play in the NHL, but I also have the opportunity to be an older presence in the locker room in Springfield.”

The former Brooks and Phillips Academy (class of 2008) star has seen plenty of turns in his career, playing for six different organizations.

Farnham made his NHL debut with 11 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2014-15, and in 2015-16 he played in a career-high 50 NHL games with the New Jersey Devils.

In the last two seasons, however, he has appeared in just three NHL games between the Montreal Canadians and Panthers organizations.

“Professional hockey truly is a roller coaster,” said Farnham, whose family still lives in North Andover. “No matter what anyone tells you, you’re a piece of meat. Balancing the ups and downs becomes crucial. You learn how to handle things a lot better as you get older.

“Following the 2015-16 season with New Jersey, I played just three games with Montreal. The rest of the season I played in Newfoundland. It was tough to come off such a great season and then play 90 percent of the following season in the minors. It was a mental grind, but honestly one of the most rewarding years of my professional hockey career.”

AGITATOR, NOT ENFORCER

One aspect of Farnham’s game that has certainly never been questioned is his passion.

Despite standing just 5-foot-10 and 188 pounds, Farnham has carved out a career as a tough guy, finding ways to get other players off their game.

His work as a fighter — often against much larger opponents — has made him a fan favorite wherever he has played. A Google search of his name will bring up plenty of fighting videos.

“I enjoy my role,” he said. “I’m still playing an agitator, the ‘in your face’ role on the ice. That has been my pedigree from Day 1. My game has evolved every year, resulting in less fighting majors and more offensive production. I continue to work towards getting better while never losing that fast-pace, forechecking, rambunctious style of play that I have always played.

“I would never consider myself an ‘enforcer’ to be honest. I think that role and nickname is reserved for some of the heavyweight fighters of the past.

“I happened to fight quite a bit in my career and a lot of those fights I was stepping in to defend teammates after dirty hits. I didn’t know how to fight my rookie year but I saw a niche that I could fill in an organization that valued that type of player.”

Farnham now hopes to work his way back into the NHL this season. But no matter where he plays, he will savoir his time on the ice.

“I’m proud,” he said. “I didn’t take an easy path to achieving a life-long goal of mine. Mentally and physically, professional hockey has been a grind, but every second has been worth it.

“My goals for this season are to keep improving as a player and be a role model for the younger guys while also striving to get back to the NHL. I am prepared to embrace whatever role the Florida organization wants me to take on, and I am excited to enjoy a successful season.”