Dr. Troy Ferguson – From the Ice to the Operating Room
10/23/2020 2:42:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey
BY RYAN COLLINS
For MSU ATHLETICS
East Lansing, Mich. – Former Michigan State hockey player Troy Ferguson always knew his professional career aspirations would likely happen off the ice. Ferguson was an accomplished player, as a significant part of the USA Hockey National Development Team and later the Spartans.
But in his heart, he knew his future would soon be in medicine.
MSU and AHL teammate Brad Fast isn't surprised that his friend is today known as Dr. Ferguson, a respected general surgeon in mid-Michigan.
"For all of us it was hockey, hockey, hockey but it was no surprise that Troy was looking towards the next step after hockey," said Fast, who was Ferguson's roommate at MSU.
MSU played a big role in Ferguson's hockey life, and also his medical career. He is a 2008 graduate from MSU's College of Osteopathic Medicine. He finished his surgical residency in 2013.
"Surgery is kind of like a practiced skill, I love getting better," said Ferguson. "It's like stick handling or shooting pucks, that's why I love it."
Before any of the degrees, Ferguson was just an undersized (5-foot-9) centerman for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program's (NTDP) inaugural under-18 squad.
NTDP, now located in Plymouth, Michigan, was headquartered in Ann Arbor during Ferguson's time. While Ferguson thrived in Ann Arbor with USA Hockey, it was clear when making his college decision that East Lansing and Michigan State felt like home.
"I loved my time in Ann Arbor," said Ferguson. "But I was recruited by Michigan State and when I stepped on campus it felt like the right place for me."
Once Ferguson got to Michigan State, he joined one of the most talented Spartans hockey teams in history.
Under legendary coach Ron Mason, Ferguson's graduating class went 110-39-15 and reached the 2001 Frozen Four. He was a sophomore in 2001, and endured the Spartans losing to North Dakota in the national semifinal.
"We were almost overprepared," said Ferguson. "We never felt we were going to lose."
After graduating from Michigan State in 2003, Ferguson went to the AHL. He played six games with the Lowell Lock Monsters, the affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes. Ferguson's draft rights were held by the Hurricanes, who drafted him 2000 in NHL Entry Draft.
Ferguson knew, after only six games, it was time to move on with his professional life – away from the sport he loved.
"I knew my future in hockey was limited to being 5-foot-9, 160 pounds," said Ferguson. "I knew pretty well where I was supposed to be."
The decision to give up hockey at 23 wasn't a big shock to his teammates. Especially Fast who played in those six games in Lowell with Ferguson.
"We all knew Troy had great hockey ability, but we knew what a tremendous student Troy was," said Fast.
Medicine became priority number one, but the motivation wasn't solely crafted on his own. The treatment and support he received, after separating his shoulder during the 1999 season by the Michigan State medical staff inspired Ferguson to get into medicine.
"For an elite athlete, there is nothing worse than getting injured, to be fixed and worked on by skilled people, I was just so thankful for the gift they gave me because I know how much that meant to me," said Ferguson. "I just thought that was a special thing."
Ferguson is a general surgeon, but he specializes in surgeries below the stomach, and breast and colon cancer patients. He serves as the director of the Breast Clinic at Hayes Green Beach Hospital in Charlotte.
"The variety is amazing, you can have 10 different surgeries in a day and have 10 different things I'm doing," said Ferguson. "I just love the variety."
Ferguson has also come full circle with his medical career, working with MSU and other athletes to help restore their health. Ferguson is one of the few surgeons in the Midwest with expertise in sports hernia repair, and he has worked on many Michigan State athletes.
"I love interacting with the athletes," said Ferguson. "To get these athletes back on the ice, court, or field feels great."
For MSU ATHLETICS
East Lansing, Mich. – Former Michigan State hockey player Troy Ferguson always knew his professional career aspirations would likely happen off the ice. Ferguson was an accomplished player, as a significant part of the USA Hockey National Development Team and later the Spartans.
But in his heart, he knew his future would soon be in medicine.
MSU and AHL teammate Brad Fast isn't surprised that his friend is today known as Dr. Ferguson, a respected general surgeon in mid-Michigan.
"For all of us it was hockey, hockey, hockey but it was no surprise that Troy was looking towards the next step after hockey," said Fast, who was Ferguson's roommate at MSU.
MSU played a big role in Ferguson's hockey life, and also his medical career. He is a 2008 graduate from MSU's College of Osteopathic Medicine. He finished his surgical residency in 2013.
"Surgery is kind of like a practiced skill, I love getting better," said Ferguson. "It's like stick handling or shooting pucks, that's why I love it."
Before any of the degrees, Ferguson was just an undersized (5-foot-9) centerman for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program's (NTDP) inaugural under-18 squad.
NTDP, now located in Plymouth, Michigan, was headquartered in Ann Arbor during Ferguson's time. While Ferguson thrived in Ann Arbor with USA Hockey, it was clear when making his college decision that East Lansing and Michigan State felt like home.
"I loved my time in Ann Arbor," said Ferguson. "But I was recruited by Michigan State and when I stepped on campus it felt like the right place for me."
Once Ferguson got to Michigan State, he joined one of the most talented Spartans hockey teams in history.
Under legendary coach Ron Mason, Ferguson's graduating class went 110-39-15 and reached the 2001 Frozen Four. He was a sophomore in 2001, and endured the Spartans losing to North Dakota in the national semifinal.
"We were almost overprepared," said Ferguson. "We never felt we were going to lose."
After graduating from Michigan State in 2003, Ferguson went to the AHL. He played six games with the Lowell Lock Monsters, the affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes. Ferguson's draft rights were held by the Hurricanes, who drafted him 2000 in NHL Entry Draft.
Ferguson knew, after only six games, it was time to move on with his professional life – away from the sport he loved.
"I knew my future in hockey was limited to being 5-foot-9, 160 pounds," said Ferguson. "I knew pretty well where I was supposed to be."
The decision to give up hockey at 23 wasn't a big shock to his teammates. Especially Fast who played in those six games in Lowell with Ferguson.
"We all knew Troy had great hockey ability, but we knew what a tremendous student Troy was," said Fast.
Medicine became priority number one, but the motivation wasn't solely crafted on his own. The treatment and support he received, after separating his shoulder during the 1999 season by the Michigan State medical staff inspired Ferguson to get into medicine.
"For an elite athlete, there is nothing worse than getting injured, to be fixed and worked on by skilled people, I was just so thankful for the gift they gave me because I know how much that meant to me," said Ferguson. "I just thought that was a special thing."
Ferguson is a general surgeon, but he specializes in surgeries below the stomach, and breast and colon cancer patients. He serves as the director of the Breast Clinic at Hayes Green Beach Hospital in Charlotte.
"The variety is amazing, you can have 10 different surgeries in a day and have 10 different things I'm doing," said Ferguson. "I just love the variety."
Ferguson has also come full circle with his medical career, working with MSU and other athletes to help restore their health. Ferguson is one of the few surgeons in the Midwest with expertise in sports hernia repair, and he has worked on many Michigan State athletes.
"I love interacting with the athletes," said Ferguson. "To get these athletes back on the ice, court, or field feels great."
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