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College Hockey | Ferschweiler among final candidates for WMU job

Posted by: Feldman

When Pat Ferschweiler took an assistant coaching job at his alma mater, Western Michigan University, last summer, I'm guessing he didn't think the chance to become a head coach would happen so soon.

But, David Drew of mlive.com and the Kalamazoo (Mich.) Gazette, notes in an article today that Ferschweiler is one of four confirmed or rumored finalists to become WMU's head coach. The announcement will be made Tuesday.

Ferschweiler, a Rochester John Marshall grad, played at WMU for three seasons (1990-93). He had 30 goals and 65 assists in three seasons, then played six seasons in the IHL.

The job at WMU opened when Jeff Blashill took an assitant coach job with the Detroit Red Wings earlier this month.

It's also been reported that if Ferschweiler isn't named head coach, he's still under contract for the upcoming season as an assistant.

The list of four finalists is an impressive one. It includes Ron Rolston, the head coach of the of the USNTDP U-18 team, Nebraska-Omaha assistant (and former Gophers assistant) Mike Hastings, and former NHL coach Andy Murray.

Rolston was reportedly on WMU's campus last Wednesday for an interview. He has never been a college head coach, but has been an assistant at four schools (Lake Superior State, Clarkson, Harvard and Boston College).

Those guys are intrigued with the job, a) because Blashill turned the program in a nice direction last season, qualifying for the NCAA tournament, and b) WMU could very well end up in the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference, which could provide the program with some national TV exposure, as well as games against big-time programs such as Denver and defending national champ UMD. WMU, which plays in the CCHA, will lose a lot of those big-time conference opponents when Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State leave in two years for the Big Ten.

College hockey | Roch. native Ferschweiler named asst. coach at WMU

FELDY: Rochester native Pat Ferschweiler has been named one of two new assistant men's hockey coaches at Division I Western Michigan University.

Ferschweiler, 40, built the Russell Stover AAA hockey program in Overland, Kan., from the ground up, starting in 2004. He has coached the U18 team, which finished third at the 2010 USA Hockey Tier I U18 Nationals.

Ferschweiler is a Western Michigan alum, having played hockey for the Broncos from the 1990-91 season through 92-93. He accumulated 95 points (30 goals, 60 assists) for WMU in 116 career games.

After college, he played two seasons with the Roanoke Express in the ECHL, then spent six seasons playing for three different teams in the IHL. He played on a Junior A national championship team with the Rochester Mustangs before playing at WMU.

I've made a few phone calls trying to track Pat down, but haven't had any luck as of yet. If I do hear from him, I'll update this blog with some of his comments.

WMU head coach Jeff Blashill had this to say about Ferschweiler:

“Pat, a former Bronco captain, has great passion for Western Michigan University and Bronco hockey,” said Blashill. “His extensive professional playing experience, playing both forward and defense, makes him a great resource for our players. He is a proven winner as a head coach and has shown great ability developing his young players skills and helping them mature and grow as young men.”