Hockey Operations

 

General Manager: Brandon Ferns

Brandon Ferns enters his third season as General Manager of the Minnesota Wilderness, where he oversees the organization’s hockey operations, scouting, recruiting, and player personnel.

The 2025-26 season marked a historic year for the Wilderness under Ferns’ leadership. The team captured the first regular-season division championship in franchise history while also leading the entire North American Hockey League in goals scored. The Wilderness carried that success into the postseason, advancing to the Robertson Cup Final and completing one of the most successful seasons in franchise history.

Since taking over as General Manager, Ferns has helped establish a clear identity for the Wilderness centered around competitiveness, player development, and creating opportunities for players to advance to the next level. Following a record-setting 2025-26 campaign, Ferns enters his third season looking to build on that success, continue raising the standard of the organization, and ultimately bring a Robertson Cup Championship to Minnesota.

In addition to his role with the Wilderness, Ferns serves as the Director of U.S. Scouting for the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League, where he helps identify and evaluate top talent across the United States.

Assistant General Manager: Steve Williams

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to join such a great organization. I’d like to say thank you to Barry and Brenda for bringing Brandon and me on board. We look forward to continuing the winning tradition that the Wilderness bring year in and year out.”

 

 

 

 

 

Head Coach: Sam Graham

Sam@wildernesshockey.com

Graham spent the 2025–26 season as an assistant coach with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League, where he worked primarily with the forwards and power play. Dubuque finished the season with the USHL’s top-ranked power play at 27.8 percent and led the league in goals scored.

Before joining Dubuque, Graham spent two seasons with the Anchorage Wolverines of the North American Hockey League. During his time in Anchorage, the Wolverines won the 2024 Midwest Division championship and advanced to the Robertson Cup semifinals. The team returned to the Midwest Division Final in 2025.

A Southern California native, Graham spent six seasons as a head coach with the Los Angeles Jr. Kings and now over 10 years as a skills instructor at the Toyota Sports Performance Center. His youth coaching accomplishments include a 14U national runner-up finish and a 16U national semifinal appearance. Graham finished his time with the Jr. Kings as a 15U AAA head coach before moving on to Anchorage.
 
Graham has also served as head coach of the Western Selects Brick Team since 2022, working with elite young players from across western North America.
 
His coaching philosophy centers on developing a fast, detailed, and structured team while giving players the freedom to be creative and make plays. Graham emphasizes daily habits, accountability, honest communication, and preparing players to advance to the next level, believing that development ultimately drives winning.

Assistant Coach: Mitch Callahan

Goalie Coach/Director of Player Personnel: Cory Lonke

Goalie Advisor: Taras Lendzyk

Senior Advisor/Director of Player Procurement: Kevin Smalley

Kevin is back for his 9th season with the Minnesota Wilderness as Director of Player Personnel. Kevin’s contributions span the organization, as he coaches our U16 and U18 Fall development teams and scouts for the organization. Kevin has been a huge part in finding some of the top talent in Northern Minnesota and bringing them into the Wilderness family. Kevin played his college hockey at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

 

Scout: Sean Fish

Scout: Brett Heigel

Scout: Joe Allen

Scout: Ray Hyde

Scout: Jay Ekman

Scout: Tanner Grina

Scout: Drake Ramirez

Head Athletic Trainer: Jessica Anderson
Jess joined the Wilderness in 2025. She provides primary care, injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion and education, emergent care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions for all Wilderness players while at home and on the road.

 

 

 

 

Health and Wellness: John Bryan and Candace Nakagawa
Candace Nakagawa and John Bryan are co-founders of Empyrean Health & Wellness. Providing evidence-based performance and wellness support to the Minnesota Wilderness organization. John brings a metabolic profiling and performance nutrition background to the organization, overseeing Player Wellness for the Wilderness NAHL & NA3 programs. 
 
Candace brings a movement-based approach to athlete development, drawing on extensive Yoga (RYT500) and Pilates training alongside Precision Nutrition and USA Weightlifting certifications to help players build the strength, mobility, and resilience needed to perform at their best. 
 
Together, they bring a personalized, science-backed approach to keeping Wilderness athletes healthy on and off the ice.

Strength Trainer: Chris Bell “IST”