Dallas Ferguson, Head Coach

Ferguson enters his fourth 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 are averaging 17 wins a season (more than any of his seven predecessors) and have hosted and won three consecutive CCHA home playoff series in each of his first three seasons at the helm of his alma mater. He has also led the program to back-to-back Alaska Airlines Governor’s Cup titles and four non-conference tournament titles.

The Wainwright, Alberta native has coached thirteen 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 New York Rangers and 2008 CCHA Offensive Defenseman of the year and Alaska's only First Team All-American Tyler Eckford (New Jersey Devils).

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. He split his rookie pro year with the Alaska Gold Kings of the West Coast Hockey League and the Richmond Renegades of the East Coast Hockey League. Ferguson played in 15 games for the Gold Kings, notching a goal and 13 assists, and finished the 1996-97 season with the Renegades, compiling a goal and two assists in 18 games. Ferguson spent the next three seasons with the Anchorage Aces (formerly the Gold Kings) of the WCHL. In his time with the Aces, Ferguson amassed 55 points in 144 games, as well as six points in 18 playoff games.

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.

Assistant Coaches
Lance West
Corbin Schmidt