Mark Ferner

Though born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Mark Ferner enjoyed Kamloops, British Columbia as his home. Many of his hockey highlights came in the Okanagan city, and he would return there upon his retirement.

A former star with the Jr. Oilers/Blazers, Ferner was a WHL all star before turning pro in 1985. Ferner was selected 202nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres after his first year of junior in 1983. Ferner was immediately farmed out to AHL Rochester. Ferner would be accustomed to the busses and life of the minor leagues. Ferner would spend 4 years in Rochester, being recalled for a paltry 15 games in the NHL.

The Sabres gave up on Ferner prior to the 1989-90 season when he was traded to the Washington Capitals. He played only nine games for the Caps but was a solid defender and playmaker on the Baltimore Skipjacks of the AHL. He would then move on to be part of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators organizations, but never played a NHL game with either entity.

Ferner's big break came when Anaheim selected him in the 1993 Expansion Draft. Ferner scored eight points in 50 games. Ferner's big league stay was short but sweet. The following season the NHL experienced a lock-out, forcing Ferner to the San Diego Gulls of the IHL. The Detroit Red Wings picked up Ferner as insurance on the blueline late that season. But he was let go as soon as the season was over.

Ferner never returned to the NHL. He would bounce around the IHL and Germany until he retired in 2001. Upon retirement he returned to Kelowna as an assistant coach.