Dylan Ferguson Bio
Dylan Ferguson (born September 20, 1998) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who currently plays for HK Nitra of the Slovak Extraliga. Standing 185 cm tall and weighing 86 kg, Ferguson has built a journeyman career across North American and European leagues since being selected 194th overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft by the Dallas Stars.
Born and raised in British Columbia, Ferguson has suited up for the Vegas Golden Knights, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Marlies, Belleville Senators, and HC Dinamo Minsk of the KHL. His path through professional hockey has included emergency NHL call-ups, deep playoff runs, and stints in the AHL and ECHL, reflecting a career defined by perseverance and adaptability between the pipes.
Early Life and Background
Dylan Ferguson was born on September 20, 1998, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He grew up in Lantzville, a small community on Vancouver Island, where he first learned to skate and developed his love for goaltending. Canadian hockey culture shaped his formative years, and Ferguson quickly gravitated toward the position of goaltender, drawn to the unique blend of athleticism and mental focus the role demands.
As a young player, Ferguson played minor hockey in the Pacific region before advancing to the Saskatchewan Midget Hockey League with the Notre Dame Hounds. This step took him away from his home province and gave him exposure to high-level competitive midget hockey. His performance with the Hounds established him as one of the top goaltending prospects in western Canada for his age group.
Path to Hockey
Ferguson’s rise through the junior ranks was steady and well-documented. He was selected 166th overall by the Kamloops Blazers in the 2013 Western Hockey League (WHL) Bantam Draft while still with the Notre Dame Hounds. He spent two more seasons developing with the Hounds before signing with the Blazers in 2015, where he would begin his major junior career.
Across his junior years, Ferguson worked diligently behind established netminders, learning the demands of high-volume, high-skill Western Hockey League competition. Serving as a backup to Connor Ingram during the 2016–17 season gave him valuable insight into the preparation and consistency required at the elite junior level. This period of growth prepared him for the NHL Draft and the professional ranks that followed.
Dylan Ferguson Career
Early Career (2013–2017)
Ferguson’s WHL career began in earnest with the Kamloops Blazers after two seasons of development with the Notre Dame Hounds. As a younger goaltender in the league, he focused on refining his technique, adjusting to the faster pace of major junior hockey, and earning the trust of his coaching staff through steady practice habits and dependable relief appearances.
His second full season with the Blazers in 2016–17 placed him behind Connor Ingram in the team’s depth chart, but Ferguson continued to develop and showcase his skills when called upon. His growth during this period caught the attention of NHL scouts, leading to his selection 194th overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
Vegas Golden Knights Era (2017–2022)
Just two days after being drafted by the Dallas Stars, Ferguson was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights on June 27, 2017, along with a second-round pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, in exchange for defenceman Marc Methot. On September 28, 2017, the Golden Knights signed Ferguson to a three-year, entry-level contract, officially launching his professional career.
Ferguson’s NHL debut came on November 14, 2017, when he was called up under emergency conditions following a series of goaltending injuries in Vegas. He entered a game against the Edmonton Oilers in relief of Maxime Lagacé and allowed one goal on two shots across 9:14 of playing time. After being returned to junior, he was later recalled as the Golden Knights’ third backup goaltender during their remarkable 2018 Stanley Cup playoff run.
The following seasons saw Ferguson split time between the WHL’s Blazers, the ECHL’s Fort Wayne Komets, and the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights. He was named WHL Goaltender of the Week early in the 2018–19 season after posting a 1.00 goals-against average and a 0.970 save percentage. Despite his steady development, Vegas declined to issue him a qualifying offer at the end of his entry-level deal, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Toronto and Ottawa Era (2022–2023)
On August 11, 2022, Ferguson signed a professional tryout contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs and attended their training camp. After being reassigned to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies to begin the 2022–23 season, he made five appearances before being loaned to the ECHL’s Wichita Thunder on February 23, 2023. The very next day, he was traded to the Belleville Senators in exchange for future considerations.
Ferguson quickly found his footing with Belleville, posting a 5–1–0 record that earned him an NHL recall from the Ottawa Senators. On March 20, 2023, he made his first NHL start against the Pittsburgh Penguins and earned his first NHL victory, stopping 48 of 49 shots in a 2–1 win. After a subsequent loss to the New Jersey Devils, Ferguson was returned to Belleville once Cam Talbot returned to health.
HC Dinamo Minsk Era (2023–2024)
Following his time in Ottawa, Ferguson struggled to attract NHL interest and chose to pursue his first professional opportunity abroad. On July 28, 2023, he signed a one-year contract with HC Dinamo Minsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), marking his first stint in European professional hockey.
Across 23 KHL appearances with Dinamo Minsk, Ferguson posted a 9–9–0 record, a .904 save percentage, and a 2.51 goals-against average. The Belarusian league provided him with a starting role he had rarely received in North America, helping him rebuild confidence and round out his game in a new environment.
Vancouver Canucks and Iowa Wild Era (2024–2025)
After one season in the KHL, Ferguson returned to North America and signed a professional tryout contract with the Vancouver Canucks on September 15, 2024. Shortly after, he was released from that tryout and signed a one-year AHL contract with the Iowa Wild, the top minor-league affiliate of the Minnesota Wild. Mid-season, he signed a one-year NHL contract with the Minnesota Wild organization.
His time in the Wild system allowed Ferguson to re-establish himself in the AHL and compete for NHL opportunities during the 2024–25 season. As a free agent at the conclusion of that campaign, he once again looked overseas for his next chapter.
HK Nitra Era (2025–Present)
On July 10, 2025, Ferguson signed a one-year deal with HK Nitra of the Slovak Extraliga, returning to European hockey. The move represented a fresh start in a top-flight league where he would be expected to take on significant responsibility as a starting goaltender.
His signing with Nitra continued a career pattern of embracing new challenges in new leagues, from the WHL and NHL to the AHL, ECHL, and KHL. Ferguson brought a steady veteran presence to a Slovak club looking to compete at the top of its domestic league.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Ferguson’s most memorable professional moments is his first NHL start and victory with the Ottawa Senators on March 20, 2023, when his 48-save performance against the Pittsburgh Penguins delivered a 2–1 win. His emergency NHL debut with the Vegas Golden Knights during their 2018 Stanley Cup playoff run remains another defining chapter, placing him on the bench of one of the most remarkable postseason stories in modern NHL history.
Dylan Ferguson Career Wins
Ferguson’s verified professional win totals include his 9–9–0 record across 23 KHL appearances with HC Dinamo Minsk during the 2023–24 season, and his 5–1–0 record with the AHL’s Belleville Senators in 2022–23. His first NHL win came on March 20, 2023, against the Pittsburgh Penguins, while his lone other NHL decision that season was a 5–3 loss to the New Jersey Devils on March 25, 2023.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his NHL and KHL appearances, Ferguson posted strong numbers at the junior and minor-professional levels. His WHL Goaltender of the Week honours early in the 2018–19 season, anchored by a 1.00 goals-against average and a 0.970 save percentage, highlighted his consistency at the major junior level with the Kamloops Blazers.
Dylan Ferguson Family
Personal Life
Ferguson was raised in Vancouver and Lantzville, British Columbia, and has spent much of his adult life moving between Canadian and European hockey cities in step with his professional career. As a Canadian athlete playing abroad in 2025, he continues to represent the values of perseverance and adaptability that have defined his journey through the sport.
2025 Season Performance
Ferguson’s 2025 campaign began with his return to European hockey, signing a one-year deal with HK Nitra of the Slovak Extraliga on July 10, 2025. The contract positioned him as a key goaltender for a Slovak club aiming to compete near the top of its domestic standings. His veteran experience from the KHL and AHL made him a natural fit for a top-flight role in Slovakia.
Throughout the early portion of the 2025–26 season, Ferguson was expected to anchor Nitra’s goaltending rotation and provide leadership in net. His track record of strong save percentages and reliable work ethic suggested he would be counted on for high-volume starts against top Slovak Extraliga competition.
Coming off stints with the Minnesota Wild organization and HC Dinamo Minsk, Ferguson entered the 2025 season looking to prove he could still perform as a starter at a high professional level. His performance in Slovakia was likely to determine whether his career path led back to North America or deeper into European hockey in subsequent seasons.