Mark Ferner resurfaces in WHL

Published 12:32 pm Thursday, August 8, 2013

Former Silvertips head coach Mark Ferner is back in the WHL, having been named the associate coach of the Kamloops Blazers.

Ferner spent a season-and-a-half coaching the Tips. He was hired prior to the 2011-12 season to replace the departed Craig Hartsburg, then was fired this past January. Everett went 38-64-2-10 during Ferner’s time in charge.

Ferner really found himself in a tough spot in Everett. He was hired by former general manager Doug Soetaert, who himself was dismissed less than a year into Ferner’s tenure. The Tips actually weren’t playing that badly when Ferner was fired. However, it’s not unusual for a new general manager like Garry Davidson to want his own choice behind the bench, and Ferner was an unfortunate victim of that circumstance. But it’s good to see Ferner has landed on his feet, and I look forward to seeing him again this year when the Blazers come to town.

Kamloops visits Everett this season on Oct. 19 and Nov. 6.