Ray Ferry started playing hockey on the ponds of Rhode Island; with his dad, brothers and friends. At twelve he started playing organized hockey for the first time.
Ray played for four years at La Salle Academy in Providence RI graduating in 1970; moving on to play four years at The University of Connecticut through 1974.
He moved to Central PA. in 1977; and began playing adult hockey locally. In 1985 the Ferry’s joined the Lancaster Firebirds, Ray and his two sons (ages 7 and 4). Ray was a coach and hockey director for the LCYAHL for the next nine years.
Ray was involved with the construction of the Lancaster Ice Rink and facilitated the transition from the old F&M facility to the new rink, with the purchase of the old rink equipment along with others. He partnered to construct and open the Regency Ice Rink in 1995 and now owns and operates the facility. He and is Regency partners were consultants to the construction and development of the York City Ice Arena.
He helped establish the Central Penn Panthers Junior team as well as AAA youth. Even earlier, his influence helped promote the formation of formal High School Hockey in the Lancaster area, as cited in an article run in the Intelligencer Journal, December 12, 2008, “A league of their own”; about the 15th anniversary of the CPIHL.
Ray’s been elected to various positions with The Atlantic District affiliate of USA Hockey. Elected to the position of Executive VP and also one of four District USA Hockey Board of Directors; representing the Atlantic district; currently holding both positions. Serving on USA Hockey Adult Council and the USA Hockey representative on The STAR (Serving The American Rinks) board of Directors, an organization that promotes the ice rink industry through the support of USA Hockey and US Figure Skating providing education and communication for rink operators.
Ferry continues to coach various clinics for all age groups at the Regency Ice Rink. Ray completed his Advanced USAH coaching level in 1993.
In 2010, Ray was honored by USA Hockey, with the “USAdult Member of the Year, presented by Labatt Blue”!
Continuing to coach and promote hockey at all ages, and playing twice a week with many friends that have played together for over 30 years.