Micheal Ferland

Background

Ferland was raised in Swan River, Manitoba, as the middle of three children by his mother Dianne, a dietary aide. His family struggled to fund his hockey; charities such as KidSport and the Manitoba Métis Federation helped pay for equipment, and parents of his Swan River teammates covered his enrollment fees when he made the midget AAA Brandon Wheat Kings. He later played major junior for the Brandon Wheat Kings and Saskatoon Blades, and was selected by Calgary in the 2010 draft.

Ferland's professional path was uneven. After arriving at Flames training camp in poor condition, he was demoted to the ECHL and then returned to junior, where he considered quitting hockey entirely.

He persevered, and with support from Flames head coach Bob Hartley and former NHLer Gino Odjick, he returned to the AHL in 2013–24 pounds lighter. He made his NHL debut in 2014 and scored his first NHL goal on March 29, 2015. In the 2015 playoffs, his physical battles with Canucks defenceman Kevin Bieksa became a focal point, and Ferland scored a key goal in the series-clinching win.

Ferland was traded to Carolina in 2018 and posted a career-high 23 assists. He signed a four-year, $14 million contract with Vancouver in 2019, but concussion problems limited him to 14 games in his first season and he missed the entirety of the 2020–21 season.

He stated, 'No I don't think I'll play professionally ever again.' His contract expired after 2022–23 and he has not signed since, presumed retired. Off the ice, Ferland was charged with assault and aggravated assault after a bar fight in 2012 but was acquitted by a jury on grounds of self-defence. He also struggled with alcoholism and celebrated one year of sobriety on March 27, 2015.