[1] 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 served as team captain for 10 years and led the Wolf Pack to a Calder Cup championship in 2000.

Gernander also ranks second all-time in goals (160), assists (187) and points (347) in Hartford franchise history.

Despite these accomplishments, Gernander was rarely called up to play for the Rangers; he appeared in only 27 NHL games (12 in regular season, 15 in playoffs) over the course of his career.

On July 23, 2007, the Wolf Pack announced that Gernander would replace Jim Schoenfeld as head coach when Schoenfeld had been promoted to assistant general manager of the New York Rangers and general manager of the Wolf Pack.