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FERZOW, LLC takes over ownership of NAHL's longest running team
FRISCO, TEXAS -The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced that its Board of Governors has approved the application for ownership of the Springfield Jr. Blues, the league's oldest running active team, to FERZOW, LLC.
Based out of Sunnyvale, California, FERZOW, LLC was formed for the purpose of ownership and management of an NAHL team. FERZOW, LLC is owned and operated by Daniel Ferguson. As a businessman, Ferguson co-founded and co-owned a leading Silicon Valley print publishing company. For 10 years he held multiple titles including CTO and VP of Corporate Relations before resigning to a consultant role so he could pursue new opportunities including sports management. Ferguson is no stranger to hockey as he is an active member in the San Jose Jr. Sharks program of the North American Prospects Hockey League (PHL). Along with coaching for the past 8 years at both the AAA and AA level, Daniel has been a board member for three different terms.
The Springfield Jr. Blues are the NAHL's longest running active team, having joined the NAHL back during the 1993-94 season. The Jr. Blues are just one of seven NAHL teams to have won multiple Robertson Cup Championships (1996, 1997). "The approval of Dan Ferguson and FERZOW, LLC, was a necessary element to ensure Springfield's long-term stability in the NAHL and to continue the proud tradition the Jr. Blues have established over the past 19 years while a member of our league," said NAHL Commissioner Mark Frankenfeld.
FERZOW, LLC also announced that Tony Zasowski, former head coach and President of the PHL's San Jose Jr. Sharks program for the last three seasons, has been named head coach and general manager for the Springfield Jr. Blues for the 2012-13 season. "I am very excited to become part of the rich history of the Jr. Blues franchise," said Zasowski. "As a former AAA player growing up in Chicago, I used to come on Friday nights to watch the Jr. Blues and many of my former teammates play. I remember the great atmosphere that the Nelson Center had back then and I am excited to continue the tradition of excellence that has been established in Springfield."
As a player, Zasowski grew up in Illinois playing goaltender for Team Illinois and Chicago Young Americans. His junior career included winning an Anderson Cup and National Championship with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL and playing in Omaha where he won a Clark Cup where he set a league record with 35 wins in a season and won Goalie of the Year. From there, he earned a scholarship at the University of Notre Dame where he was named Freshman of the Year for the Irish. He finished up his playing career with the Dayton Bombers in the ECHL.
Zasowski's coaching experience has most recently included coaching both the 18U and 16U San Jose Jr. Sharks teams in the PHL. This past season, his 16U team won the PHL's regular season title and in 2010-11 his 18U team did the same, along with winning the California Tier I AAA State Championship. "The PHL has been a great training ground as a coach and competition forces a coach to prepare his team to be at their best for every game," said Zasowski. "In addition to the competition, it has fostered many great relationships with junior and college coaches, particularly in the NAHL. I am very excited to take the next step to being a head coach in the NAHL. After coaching in the PHL the last three seasons, I am excited to be able to now work and compete against the coaches that I have been promoting my players to."
Prior to coaching with the Jr. Sharks, Zasowski was Assistant Coach/Goalie Coach for the Pensacola Ice Pilots in the ECHL. Zasowski also had stints in the USHL as Assistant Coach/Assistant General Manager with the Chicago Steel, in the NAHL as Assistant Coach with the Springfield Spirit. In addition to his regular coaching duties, Tony has worked numerous USA Hockey Select Festivals as a goalie coach and evaluator.
A presentation to and final approval by the USA Hockey junior council is expected no later than June 9th.
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