The Green Bay Gamblers have made the first addition to their 2023-24 hockey operations staff with the hiring of Brandon Ferns as the team’s Director of Player Procurement. Based in Minnesota, his duties will include streamlining and synchronizing the Gamblers’ scouting operations across the United States, Canada and Europe.
The Sartell, Minn. native brings significant junior hockey operations experience. He has spent the last two seasons as the Director of Player Personnel for the Chippewa Steel in the NAHL. At the same time, her served as a regional scout for the Omaha Lancers in the USHL. In Chippewa, the Steel set franchise records for most wins in program history in back-to-back years, and in 2023 made the playoffs for the first time in the organization’s history.
Previously, he was the Minnesota area scout for the St. Cloud Norsemen, playing an important role in building a Robertson Cup-qualifying team. Ferns has made a significant impact at the USHL and NAHL levels, with the drafting and development of myriad players including Green Bay Gamblers and NHL draft prospect Adam Gajan. Additionally, he coaches in the fall Minnesota Bantam Elite League, and is also an assistant coach at Shakopee High School. The latter is a rising Minnesota high school program which includes a recent Green Bay Gamblers Phase 1 draft selection in defenseman Jack Kultgen.
“I am excited to work with Head Coach/General Manager Michael Leone and the Green Bay Gamblers scouting staff,” Ferns said. “I can’t wait to get started on our season and preparation for the 2024 USHL draft.”
