Pat Ferschweiler

Last updated

Pat Ferschweiler
Born (1970-02-20) February 20, 1970 (age 54)
Rochester, Minnesota, U.S.
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position Right wing
Shot Right
Played for Roanoke Express
Minnesota Moose
Kansas City Blades
San Francisco Spiders
London Knights
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 19932001
Coaching career
Current position
TitleHead Coach
Team Western Michigan
Conference NCHC
Biographical details
Alma mater Western Michigan University
Playing career
1990–93 Western Michigan
Position(s) Right wing
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2010–14 Western Michigan (Asst.)
2014–15 Grand Rapids Griffins (Asst.)
2015–2019 Detroit Red Wings (Asst.)
2019–2021 Western Michigan (Asso.)
2021–Present Western Michigan
Head coaching record
Overall70–43–3 (.616)
Tournaments1–3 (.250)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
2012 CCHA Tournament (Asst.)

Pat Ferschweiler (born February 20, 1970) is an American ice hockey coach and former player. He is currently the head coach for the Western Michigan Broncos. [1]

Contents

Playing career

Ferschweiler began his collegiate career with the Western Michigan Broncos in 1990, having previously played for the Rochester Mustangs of the USHL. [2] He had a strong first season with the Broncos, registering 20 points in 42 games during the 1990–91 season. The following season was a successful one for Ferschweiler, as he was named the Best Defensive Forward in the CCHA, despite scoring at over a point-per-game rate. [1] He returned for his third year with the Broncos and was named team captain; during the 1992–93 season he tallied 35 points in 38 games. [2] and was a runner up for the Best Defensive Forward award. [3] At the culmination of the season, Ferschweiler turned professional.

Ferschweiler's first pro season was spent with the Roanoke Express of the ECHL, where he had a strong season, finishing 2nd in the team in scoring after registering 85 points in 68 games. [4] The Express would make it to the playoffs, but would ultimately lose to the Raleigh IceCaps in the opening round. He would return to Roanoke for the 1994–95 season and would be the leading the team's leading scorer when he was called up to the Kansas City Blades of the IHL, [5] having already played one game in the IHL with Roanoke's parent team, the Minnesota Moose. [6] With the Blades, he registered 29 points in 49 games during the regular season. The team would have an extended run in the playoffs, ultimately losing to the Denver Grizzlies in the final.

The 1995–96 season saw Ferschweiler remain in Kansas City, however, on December 21, 1995, he was traded to the San Francisco Spiders in exchange for Jeff Madill, where he played for the rest of the season. [5] His stay in California was short lived however, as he returned to Kansas City in time for the 1996–97 season. He would struggle to find form during the season, registering only 10 points in 49 games. [2] The following season would be more productive, with Ferschweiler scoring 43 points in 79 games, and the team made it to the final playoff quarter finals, before losing to the Long Beach Ice Dogs. Ferschweiler would have another good season during 1997–98, tallying 45 points in 80 games. The 1999–00 season would see another dip in production, with Ferschweiler tallying 29 games in 82 games, as the team missed the playoffs.

Ferschweiler would move overseas for the 2000–01 season, moving to the U.K. in order to play for reigning British champions the London Knights of the BISL. Joining him in the British capital was former Blades teammate Brendan Yarema, [7] [8] whilst David Vallieres & Grant Richison joined the team later in the season. [9] Ferschweiler was named captain and would register 20 points in 39 games. Whilst performing well in the league, the Knights would also find continental success, beating both the Munich Barons and HC Slovan Bratislava in the IIHF Continental Cup. Although Swiss side ZSC Lions would ultimately win the Cup, the Knights would take the silver medal and their performance in the competition was considered to be the best by a British team at the time. [10] Towards the end of the season, Ferschweiler picked up a wrist injury which would ultimately keep him out of the playoffs; [11] the Knights narrowly lost in the playoff final to the Sheffield Steelers. Subsequently, Ferschweiler retired as a professional hockey player.

Awards and achievements

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1989–90 Rochester Mustangs USHL 4422355728
1990–91 Western Michigan University NCAA 427132071
1991–92 Western Michigan UniversityNCAA368324056
1992–93 Western Michigan UniversityNCAA3815203558
1993–94 Roanoke Express ECHL 682758857920112
1994–95 Roanoke ExpressECHL228223044
1994–95 Minnesota Moose IHL 10000
1994–95 Kansas City Blades IHL49111829282024622
1995–96 Kansas City BladesIHL160338
1995–96 San Francisco Spiders IHL4237104240000
1996–97 Kansas City BladesIHL4946104220112
1997–98 Kansas City BladesIHL7916274373102248
1998–99 Kansas City BladesIHL80738456630112
1999–00 Kansas City BladesIHL828212966
2000–01 London Knights BISL 393172026
IHL totals3984912016932539481234

Coaching career

In 2004, Ferschweiler took on the role of general manager and head coach of the Russell Stover Under-18 team of the Midwest Elite Hockey League. He simultaneously acted as the director of hockey for the Kansas City Stars youth organization from 2005 to 2009. [12]

Ferschweiler returned to his alma mater in 2010, serving as an assistant under new WMU head coach Jeff Blashill. The Broncos enjoyed their best season in years, leading to an appearance in the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament. After the 2010–11 season, Blashill departed WMU for an assistant coaching position with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League. Ferschweiler was one of several candidates who interviewed for the head coaching position at WMU, a job that eventually went to former NHL head coach Andy Murray. [13] Ferschweiler remained on the Broncos staff as assistant to Murray for the next three seasons. Prior to the 2013–14 season, he was promoted to associate head coach. [1]

Ferschweiler joined the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL as an assistant coach for the 2014–15 season, replacing Jim Paek. The move reunited him with Griffins head coach Jeff Blashill.

On June 23, 2015, Ferschweiler, Tony Granato, Chris Chelios, and Dave Noel-Bernier were named assistant coaches for the Detroit Red Wings of the NHL. The move once again reunited him with Blashill, who had been named the Red Wings head coach on June 9. [14] [15] Ferschweiler had earlier been mentioned in news reports as a candidate for the Griffins head coaching job, which ultimately went to Todd Nelson. [16]

Whilst at the Red Wings, Ferschweiler also served as an Assistant coach with the USA U-18 team as they competed in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. In 2019 he was promoted to Head coach, as the team finished 6th overall. [1]

On July 30, 2019, it was announced that Ferschweiler would return to WMU, as an Associate Head Coach. [17]

On August 3, 2021, it was announced that Ferschweiler would take over as Head Coach at WMU in wake of Andy Murray resigning. [18]

College

Statistics overview
SeasonTeamOverallConferenceStandingPostseason
Western Michigan Broncos (NCHC)(2021–2013)
2021–22 Western Michigan 26–12–114–9–13rd NCAA Northeast Regional Final
2022–23 Western Michigan 23–15–115–8–12nd NCAA East Regional Semifinal
2023–24 Western Michigan 21–16–111–13–16th NCAA Midwest Regional Semifinal
Western Michigan:70–43–340–31–3
Total:70–43–3

      National champion        Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion        Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion      Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

Personal

Ferschweiler graduated from Western Michigan University in 1993 with a bachelor's degree in finance. He is married to his wife Stacie, and has two daughters. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Detroit Red Wings</span> National Hockey League team in the US

The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference, and are one of the Original Six teams of the league. Founded in 1926, the team was known as the Detroit Cougars until 1930. For the next two seasons, the team was named the Detroit Falcons, before changing their name to the Red Wings in 1932.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gerard Gallant</span> Canadian ice hockey player and coach

Gerard Gallant is a Canadian ice hockey coach and former player. He was most recently the head coach of the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously served as the head coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets (2004–2006), Florida Panthers (2014–2016) and Vegas Golden Knights (2017–2020). He is a three-time finalist for the Jack Adams Award for NHL coach of the year, winning the award in 2018 for the Golden Knights' first season. He was also a two-time Canadian Hockey League (CHL) coach of the year during his tenure with the Saint John Sea Dogs, where the team secured two President's Cup victories and one Memorial Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andy Murray (ice hockey)</span> Canadian ice hockey coach and former player

Andy Murray is the former head coach for the Western Michigan Broncos men's ice hockey team of the NCAA Division I National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). He is a former head coach of the Los Angeles Kings and the St. Louis Blues in the National Hockey League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Detroit Junior Red Wings</span> Ice hockey team in Detroit, Michigan

The Detroit Junior Red Wings were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League for three seasons from 1992 to 1995. The Jr. Red Wings were based in Detroit, Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Maurice</span> Canadian ice hockey player and coach (born 1967)

Paul Maurice is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player who is the head coach for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). At age 43, Maurice became the youngest coach in NHL history to coach 1,000 games, reaching the milestone on November 28, 2010. He also holds a record for the most losses by an NHL coach with 736.

George Peter DeBoer is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player who is the head coach for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the 12th round, 237th overall, by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft but never played in the NHL, instead playing for the Milwaukee Admirals of the International Hockey League (IHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robbie Ftorek</span> American ice hockey player and coach

Robert Brian Ftorek is an American professional ice hockey coach and former player. He was inducted in the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 1991.

James Andrew Hiller is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player who is the head coach for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). Hiller played 63 games in the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, and New York Rangers, while spending time in the American Hockey League (AHL) and International Hockey League (IHL). He finished his career playing overseas in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga in Germany and Italian Serie A. Upon retiring, Hiller began a coaching career in the junior leagues.

David Struch is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre and the current head coach of the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League. As a player, he played for the Calgary Flames in the NHL, as well as in the minor leagues, and across Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Gordon (ice hockey)</span> American ice hockey player and coach

Scott M. Gordon is an American professional ice hockey coach and former professional goaltender. He is currently an assistant coach for the San Jose Sharks. He previously served as the head coach of the NHL's New York Islanders from 2008 to 2010 and the head coach of the National Hockey League's Philadelphia Flyers in the 2018–19, and, as well as the head coach of the Providence Bruins and Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League (AHL) between 2002 and 2021. Before coaching he played 23 games in the NHL with the Quebec Nordiques during the 1989–90 and 1990–91 seasons, and in the minor leagues from 1986 to 1994. Internationally he played for the American national team at the 1992 Winter Olympics and the 1991 World Championships. Gordon was born in Brockton, Massachusetts, but grew up in Easton, Massachusetts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Todd McLellan</span> Canadian ice hockey player and coach

Todd Andrew McLellan is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. He was most recently the head coach of the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL) from 2019 to 2024. He previously served as head coach of the San Jose Sharks (2008–2015) and Edmonton Oilers (2015–2018), and as an assistant coach with the Detroit Red Wings (2005–2008), with whom he won the Stanley Cup in 2008. He was drafted in 1986 by the New York Islanders and played five games with the major league club in the 1987–88 season before retiring in the minors the following season due to recurring injury.

The history of the Detroit Red Wings begins in 1926, when the franchise began play in the National Hockey League (NHL). The professional ice hockey club was founded as the Detroit Cougars on September 25, 1926, one of three teams to join the NHL in 1926. With the demise of the Western Canada Hockey League (WCHL), the rights to the players of the Victoria Cougars were purchased by a Detroit group led by Charles A. Hughes who kept the name "Cougars" for their NHL club. The new team struggled financially; in 1930, the Cougars changed their name to the Detroit Falcons, and after being bought out of receivership by James E. Norris were renamed as the Detroit Red Wings in 1932. The team played their first game on November 18, 1926, and won their first two Stanley Cup titles in 1936 and 1937. The Red Wings have won the Cup eleven times, more than any other American team in NHL history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Michigan Broncos men's ice hockey</span> American college ice hockey team

The Western Michigan Broncos men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents Western Michigan University. The Broncos are a member of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). They play at Lawson Arena in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Blashill</span> American ice hockey coach

Jeff Blashill is an American professional ice hockey coach who is currently serving as an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was formerly the head coach for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tomáš Nosek</span> Czech ice hockey player (born 1992)

Tomáš Nosek is a Czech professional ice hockey forward for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luke Witkowski</span> American professional ice hockey player (born 1990)

Luke Witkowski is an American professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for Tappara in the Liiga. He has previously played in the NHL for the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Detroit Red Wings. Witkowski was selected by the Lightning, 160th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

The 2015–16 Detroit Red Wings season was the 90th season for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on September 25, 1926. The regular season began on October 9, 2015, against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and former Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock, with a 4–0 victory. This season also involved the Red Wings extending their playoff streak to 25 straight seasons.

Dave Noël-Bernier is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He was an assistant coach with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL) and is now an assistant coach at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (NCHC).

Grant Richison is an American former ice hockey defenceman who played in the minor leagues, and in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021–22 Western Michigan Broncos men's ice hockey season</span> College ice hockey team season

The 2021–22 Western Michigan Broncos men's ice hockey season was the 48th season of play for the program and the 9th season in the NCHC conference. They were coached by Pat Ferschweiler, in his first season, and played their home games at Lawson Arena.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Pat Ferschweiler - Men's Ice Hockey Coach". Western Michigan Broncos . Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 "Pat Ferschweiler". EliteProspects.com. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  3. "Ferschweiler makes his success a step at a time". Post-Bulletin. May 3, 1995. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  4. "Roanoke Express". EliteProspects.com. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  5. 1 2 "Spiders Deal Madill To Kansas City". SFGate. December 22, 1995. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  6. "Roanoke Express Parent Teams". Hockeydb. December 22, 1995. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  7. "First signings for Knights". London Knights. July 21, 2000. Archived from the original on March 6, 2001. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  8. "More confirmed for London Knights". London Knights. August 15, 2000. Archived from the original on June 25, 2001. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  9. "Knights snap up Richison". BBC. November 21, 2000. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  10. "Superleague needs a higher profile". BBC. April 2, 2001. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  11. "Shaken Knights face cup test". Evening Standard. February 13, 2001. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  12. "Team - Pat Ferschweiler, Detroit Red Wings Assistant Coach". NHL . Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  13. "WMU hockey assistant coach Pat Ferschweiler taking pride in Broncos' resurgence after successful career for the Brown and Gold". MLive.com. January 24, 2013. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  14. Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News (June 23, 2015). "Granato, Ferschweiler, Chelios are Wings' assistant coaches". The Detroit News . Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  15. George Sipple, Detroit Free Press (June 23, 2015). "Jeff Blashill touts his first Detroit Red Wings coaching staff". Detroit Free Press . Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  16. "Derek Lalonde, Todd Nelson finalists to take over Grand Rapids Griffins". MLive.com. June 15, 2015. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  17. "Pat Ferschweiler returns to Western Michigan hockey". WWMT. July 30, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  18. "Andy Murray Resigns After 10 Seasons, Pat Ferschweiler Named WMU Head Hockey Coach". WWMT. August 3, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by NCHC Coach of the Year
2022–23
Succeeded by