Ken Gernander
Encyclopedia
Kenneth Robert Gernander (born June 30, 1969 in Coleraine, Minnesota
) is a retired American
ice hockey
player and currently head coach for the Connecticut Whale in the AHL
. He played for the University of Minnesota for four years and was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets
in the fifth round of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft
.
Gernander played 14 professional seasons, the last 11 in the New York Rangers
organization with their AHL affiliates in Binghamton (1994–97) and Hartford (1997–2005). He served as team captain for 10 years and led the Wolf Pack to a Calder Cup
championship in 2000. He is the Wolf Pack's all-time franchise record-holder in games played (599) and playoff games played (78). Gernander also ranks second all-time in goals (160), assists (187) and points (347) in Hartford franchise history. Despite these accomplishments, Gernander was rarely called up to play for the Rangers; he appeared in only 27 NHL
games over the course of his career.
Gernander retired after the 2004–05 season. He is the AHL's all-time leader with 123 career playoff games played and is the league's all-time leading scorer among American-born players with 624 points in 973 games.
After his retirement, Gernander spent two seasons as Hartford's assistant coach. On July 23, 2007, the Wolf Pack announced that Gernander would replace Jim Schoenfeld
as head coach. Schoenfeld had been promoted to assistant general manager
of the New York Rangers
.
On October 8, 2005, the Hartford Wolf Pack retired his number 12.
Coleraine, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,110 people, 443 households, and 317 families residing in the city. The population density was 178.5 people per square mile . There were 462 housing units at an average density of 74.3 per square mile...
) is a retired American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player and currently head coach for the Connecticut Whale in the AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
. He played for the University of Minnesota for four years and was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets
Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets were a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They began play in the World Hockey Association in 1972, moving to the National Hockey League in 1979 following the collapse of the WHA...
in the fifth round of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft
1987 NHL Entry Draft
The 1987 NHL Entry Draft was held at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The National Hockey League teams selected 252 players eligible for entry into professional ranks, in the reverse order of the 1986–87 NHL season and playoff standings. This is the list of those players selected.-Selections...
.
Gernander played 14 professional seasons, the last 11 in the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
organization with their AHL affiliates in Binghamton (1994–97) and Hartford (1997–2005). He served as team captain for 10 years and led the Wolf Pack to a Calder Cup
Calder Cup
The Calder Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League. The trophy is the world's second oldest continuous professional ice hockey championship, having first been awarded in 1937 following the 1936-37 AHL season, and continuously being awarded every year.The cup...
championship in 2000. He is the Wolf Pack's all-time franchise record-holder in games played (599) and playoff games played (78). Gernander also ranks second all-time in goals (160), assists (187) and points (347) in Hartford franchise history. Despite these accomplishments, Gernander was rarely called up to play for the Rangers; he appeared in only 27 NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
games over the course of his career.
Gernander retired after the 2004–05 season. He is the AHL's all-time leader with 123 career playoff games played and is the league's all-time leading scorer among American-born players with 624 points in 973 games.
After his retirement, Gernander spent two seasons as Hartford's assistant coach. On July 23, 2007, the Wolf Pack announced that Gernander would replace Jim Schoenfeld
Jim Schoenfeld
James Grant Schoenfeld is a retired professional ice hockey player. He is currently the assistant general manager with the New York Rangers, as well as an interim assistant coach...
as head coach. Schoenfeld had been promoted to assistant general manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
of the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
.
On October 8, 2005, the Hartford Wolf Pack retired his number 12.