Dylan Ferguson (ice hockey)

Lore & Background

Ferguson played midget hockey with the Notre Dame Hounds in the Saskatchewan Midget Hockey League before being selected 166th overall by the Kamloops Blazers in the 2013 WHL bantam draft. He signed with the Blazers in 2015 and served as backup to Connor Ingram during the 2016–17 season. Two days after being drafted 194th overall by the Dallas Stars in 2017, he was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights along with a second-round pick in the 2020 NHL entry draft in exchange for defenceman Marc Methot.

Ferguson signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Golden Knights on September 28, 2017. He began the 2017–18 season with the Blazers but was called up by Vegas on an emergency basis on October 31 following multiple goaltending injuries. He made his NHL debut on November 14 in relief of Maxime Lagacé against the Edmonton Oilers, allowing one goal on two shots in 9:14 of ice time. He was returned to the Blazers on November 17 after Malcolm Subban was activated from injured reserve, and later served as the Golden Knights' third backup goalie during the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs.

After his entry-level contract expired, the Golden Knights declined to issue a qualifying offer, making Ferguson an unrestricted free agent. He subsequently signed a professional tryout contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on August 11, 2022, and was assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. He was later loaned to the ECHL's Wichita Thunder, then traded to the Belleville Senators on February 24, 2023, and signed a two-way contract with the Ottawa Senators on March 2. He earned his first NHL start and win on March 20, 2023, making 48 saves in a 2–1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. He lost his second game 5–3 to the New Jersey Devils on March 25 and was returned to Belleville on March 28.

Reader's Guide

Dylan Ferguson's career illustrates the unpredictable path of a late-round draft pick who nonetheless reached the NHL. Selected 194th overall by the Dallas Stars in 2017, he was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights just two days later—a transaction that set the stage for his emergency call-up and NHL debut in November 2017. Though his playing time with Vegas was limited to 9:14 of relief action, he became part of the Golden Knights' inaugural season and served as a third-string option during their 2018 Stanley Cup playoff run.

After his entry-level contract ended without a qualifying offer, Ferguson navigated the professional hockey landscape through professional tryout contracts, AHL assignments, and an ECHL loan before earning his first NHL start and victory with the Ottawa Senators in March 2023. His 48-save performance against the Pittsburgh Penguins demonstrated his capability at the highest level, even as his tenure with Ottawa was brief. Unable to secure an NHL contract the following offseason, he signed his first overseas deal with HC Dinamo Minsk of the KHL in July 2023, where he posted a 9-9-0 record with a .904 save percentage and 2.51 goals-against average over 23 appearances.

Ferguson's subsequent return to North America included a professional tryout with the Vancouver Canucks and a contract with the Iowa Wild before signing with the Minnesota Wild mid-season. Ultimately, he returned to Europe in July 2025, signing with HK Nitra of the Slovak Extraliga. His journey reflects the resilience required of goaltenders who, despite limited NHL opportunities, continue to build careers across multiple leagues and continents.

Did You Know?

• Ferguson was traded from the Dallas Stars to the Vegas Golden Knights just two days after being drafted 194th overall in 2017.
• He made his NHL debut on November 14, 2017, in relief for the Vegas Golden Knights against the Edmonton Oilers, allowing one goal on two shots in 9:14 of playing time.
• His first NHL start and win came on March 20, 2023, with the Ottawa Senators, making 48 saves in a 2–1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
• Ferguson signed his first contract abroad with Belarusian club HC Dinamo Minsk of the KHL on July 28, 2023.