Career
Born in Coleraine, Minnesota, he played for the University of Minnesota for four years and was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the fifth round of the 1987 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Gernander played 14 professional seasons, the last 11 in the New York Rangers organization with their AHL affiliates in Binghamton (1994-1997) and Hartford (1997–2005). He is the Wolf Pack"s all-time franchise record-holder in games played (599) and playoff games played (78).
Gernander also ranks second all-time in goals (160), assists (187) and points (347) in Hartford franchise history.
Gernander retired after the 2004-2005 season. He is the AHL"s all-time leader with 123 career playoff games played and is the league"s all-time leading scorer among American-born players with 624 points in 973 games.
After his retirement, Gernander spent two seasons as Hartford"s assistant coach. On July 23, 2007, the Wolf Pack announced that Gernander would replace Jim Schoenfeld as head coach.
Schoenfeld had been promoted to assistant general manager of the New York Rangers.
Gernander"s number 12 is the only number retired by the Wolf Pack. lieutenant was retired on October 8, 2005.