McVicar played major junior for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League before being selected by the Canucks in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

Born in Hay River, Northwest Territories, McVicar moved to Brandon, Manitoba at the age of four.

Offered a scholarship to the University of Maine, McVicar went there in 2000 but was ruled ineligible by the NCAA so returned to Brandon in November of that year.

[1] After the season ended he was selected 151st overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, though McVicar remained with Brandon for one final year before turning professional.

[2] In McVicar's only NHL appearance, on December 1, 2005, against the Edmonton Oilers, he played 3 minutes without facing a shot.