As reported by Joe Macaig (an official EIHL expert) on X (formerly twitter), defenceman Miles Gendron has departed the Belfast Giants. Although we are yet to hear of anything from the Giants, Gendron will depart the Northern Irish club in search of a new home for the 2024/2025 season. With his great defensive capabilities he would be a solid pick up by many clubs for next season. Scoring just the 1 point in 19 league games, Gendron had an injury riddled season which he will wish to have back.
It is rumoured that the Nottingham Panthers approached the 27 year old Canadian last off season for his services but the Giants had already penned the signature of Gendron beating the Panthers to it. It would be no surprise if Omar Pacha went back in for the 6’2” defenceman this off season with Gendron looking for a new club. This addition could bring much needed defensive stability to the Panthers as Danny Stewart looks to build upon the foundations left by Jonathan Paredes. Gendron could be compared to Simon Després who played 44 games for the Black and Gold last season recording 12 points. The Panthers got caught a few times at the back last season with the likes of Jake Ryczek pushing up the ice too much leaving the Panthers exposed. A partner like Gendron would bring more balance to the Panthers defence and is a move I can see happening.
Another club that will be looking to secure the services of Gendron is the Manchester Storm. If the Storm aren’t to keep main man Joe Morrow, Gendron could be a good replacement for the Altrincham side. Morrow was an experienced head who helped produce at both ends of the ice. Having a good 200 foot game, Morrow would be missed by the Storm but with new coach Mike Flanagan taking over Gendron may soften the blow. Although he failed to score in the 2023/2024 campaign, we have seen Gendron play a more advanced role across his time in the East Coast Hockey League where he has netted 18 times in 5 years there. Gendron would fit the Storm well as his game is suited to a smaller rink where he can use his body to his advantage. We saw the 70th overall pick in the 2014 draft do that multiple times last season for the Giants and having the Storm Shelter as a home rink would only strengthen his game.
Not only could a EIHL team pick him up but a European team could. It is no secret that imports who leave the EIHL look to sign in another European country. We have researched and found suitable teams that may very well pick up Gendron for the 24/25 season. We looked at leagues such as DEL2, Erste Liga and AlpsHL (We did look at other leagues but ruled them out for various reasons). These are three high skilled leagues in Europe who commonly attract former EIHL players.
In DEL2 we looked at the Eisbären Regensburg as a potential home for Gendron next season. The German side Regensburg had a strong built defensive team last season, as they had ten D-men signed for the year all mainly being six foot or taller (two under six foot) and they were all big guys on the ice meaning they brought a strong physical presence to the ice each game just like Gendron does too. With the departure of Petr Heider from the club; they will be on a hunt for a replacement and with both Heider and Gendron sharing a similar play style with each other it would be no shock if they considered signing Gendron for the 24/25 season. Heider brought physicality to the team along with good defensive awareness which Gendron is equally as good at bringing to the game. If he was to sign with them he would be playing alongside former Fife Flyers D-man Sean Giles and with David Morley who was rumoured to join Sheffield Steelers. A new home in DEL2 would be a smart move by the Canadian D-man as it will offer him a faster paced, competitive league which Gendron is suited for.
Secondly we looked at Gyergyói HK in the Ertse Liga. The Ertse Liga is a league where we have seen many EIHL players play in, such as Joseph Hazeldine before joining the Nottingham Panthers, Alex Dubeau former Nottingham Panthers goalie and Chase Schaber former Fife Flyers forward. So without a doubt the Erste Liga very much may be an option for Gendron. Gyergyói HK is another defence heavy team; where they look to surround their junior players with ice hockey veterans which is suitable for Gendron. With the possibility of both Bobby Raymond and Konsta Mesikämmen not returning for the 24/25 season, head coach Markus Juurikkala will be looking for a suitable replacement for them which Gendron fits well. Both D-men brought a good solid defensive awareness and senses to the club along with their stick checking abilities it would be a huge miss for the club if they didn’t return however, with Gendron being a free agent; Juurikkala could bring him in to replace them as Gendron is an excellent D-man who brings his great effort and senses to each game and you will see him going for the poke check when required and most the team succeeding. Gendron fits into their top 4 defensive set.
A big club which many EIHL fans have heard of in the AlpsHL is none other than Cortina in Italy. This is down to the likes of Tommaso Traversa (formerly of the Sheffield Steelers and Dundee Stars) who has played a fair chunk of his career for Cortina. Cortina made the final last season in both the AlpsHL and the Italian league and they no doubt will be on the hunt to make it again next season and win it this time. Sadly one of Cortina’s top D-men has retired from the sport this being Michael Angelo Zanatta and they will no doubt be looking for a top D-man to come and fill his shoes. Gendron and Zanatta are very similar players, who both bring a physical presence onto the ice and always give 100% effort each night. Gendron could be a top 4 D-man for the club allowing them to make that push for the finals again. Gendron would bring his veteran knowledge to the team's locker room and they could use this to plan a good penalty kill unit. With his poke checking ability it will be smart for him to be on the top PK unit as he could win the puck and get it cleared out of the zone allowing fresh legs to come onto the ice.
All of these clubs plus many more are all possibilities for Gendron’s future as he fits the team's profile well. A move to another EIHL club seems a good move as he has experience in the league and his game is suited to the growing pace of the league. However, a move to Europe will seem more likely as Gendron looks to refresh and re-start with his partner. Gendron is a player who we will keep an eye on throughout the off season as his next club is decided.
Wrote by Will Harris and Calan Yule
Proofread by Calan Yule & Will Harris
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EIHL News Central is a news page on social media which follows the EIHL closely and updates the fans on any news circulating the league.
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