It was a storied first year at the helm of the Alaska Nanooks for head coach Dallas Ferguson. A former Nanook defenseman and team captain, Ferguson led his Alma Mater back to national prowess during the 2008-09 campaign en route to winning the CCHA Coach of the Year.

Ferguson's squad far exceeded expectation, finishing fourth in the CCHA after being picked to finish 11th in the 12-team conference in the preseason. The feat tied the program's best regular-season CCHA finish and the 34 points in the league standings set an all-time high through 17 years of association with the Michigan-based league.

In his first season at the helm, Ferguson mentored CCHA Player of the Year and Hobey Baker Top Ten finalist Chad Johnson, who led NCAA Division I goalies in goals-against average and saves percentage. A Pittsburgh Penguins' draft pick, Johnson became the first Nanook skater to participate in the Frozen Four Skills Challenge.

Prior to taking the reigns on May 15, 2008, Ferguson completed his fourth season behind the bench as an assistant coach. Through his first four seasons as a coach, Ferguson was a 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).

The 35-year old Ferguson has coached thirteen Nanooks who have gone on to professional hockey careers, including NHL rearguard Jordan Hendry of the Chicago Blackhawks, Darcy Campbell (Colorado Avalanche), Kyle Greentree (Calgary Flames) and most recently, defenseman Tyler Eckford, the program's first ever First Team All-American, of the New Jersey Devils organization.

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 this season. From 2004 to 2007, Ferguson primarily coached the defensemen and was in charge of the defensive special teams in his first three years. In 2005, Ferguson coached the penalty-killing unit to an impressive 88.0 percent conversion percentage, the third best in the nation. This season, Ferguson took on more duties as the primary assistant, including a larger role in recruiting.

Prior to his tenure at Alaska, Ferguson spent two years as the assistant coach for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs Junior A hockey team.

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.

A native of Wainwright, Alberta, Ferguson earned his bachelor's degree in business administration with an emphasis in management and organization from UAF.

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.

Ferguson and his wife Tara live in Fairbanks with their daughters, Payton and Kendall.