Ferguson enters his sixth season as head coach of the Alaska Hockey program. He was named the eighth head coach of his alma mater on May 15, 2008, following four years of service as an assistant coach for the Blue and Gold.
A former Nanook defenseman and team captain, Ferguson guided the program to new heights in his first three seasons at the helm. After leading the team to a fourth place finish in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and capturing the league's Coach of the Year award in 2008-09, he took the Nanooks to the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history in 2009-10.
Under his tutelage, the Nanooks have won four consecutive Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup titles, played host to four CCHA home playoff series (winning three) and claimed five non-conference tournament titles.
The Wainwright, Alberta, native has coached over 30 Nanooks who have gone on to professional hockey careers, including rearguard Jordan Hendry of the 2010 National Hockey League Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks, 2009 CCHA Player of the Year and All-American Chad Johnson of the Boston Bruins and 2008 CCHA Offensive Defenseman of the year and Alaska's only First Team All-American Tyler Eckford (Ottawa Senators).
Through his first four seasons as an assistant coach, Ferguson was part of Nanook squads that defeated four No.1-ranked teams, captured two Alaska Airlines Governor's Cups, finished third at the CCHA Super Six tournament at Joe Louis Arena, won three CCHA first-round playoff series on the road, and set a program record for road wins in a season (10, 2005-06).
Since his arrival at Alaska in the summer of 2004, Ferguson has steadily climbed the professional ladder. After serving as the Nanooks' second assistant coach from 2004-07, he was named the first assistant coach in 2007-08. From 2004 to 2007, Ferguson primarily coached the defensemen and was in charge of the defensive special teams. In 2005, Ferguson coached the penalty-killing unit to an impressive 88.0 percent conversion percentage, the third best in the nation.
Prior to his tenure at Alaska, Ferguson spent two years as the assistant coach for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs Junior A hockey team of the North American Hockey League.
As an athlete, Ferguson enjoyed a four-year professional hockey career following his collegiate playing days in Fairbanks. He was a four-year letterwinner for the Nanooks (1992-96) and ranks 21st on Alaska's career scoring list. He finished his career with 104 points (17g, 87a) and was a three-time recipient of the Shawn Chambers Top Defenseman Award. A proven leader, Ferguson was an alternate captain as a junior and voted the team captain as a senior.
Following his college career, he played four years professionally, with stints for the Richmond Renegades of the East Coast Hockey League, and the Alaska Gold Kings and Anchorage Aces of the West Coast Hockey League. Ferguson notched 78 points in 195 pro hockey games, including 61 in 162 games for the Aces.
Off the ice, he earned his bachelor's degree in business administration with an emphasis on management and organization.
Ferguson and his wife Tara live in Fairbanks with their daughters, Peyton and Kendall.
