Ice looks to veteran Gendron to guide team
June 17, 2004 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Indiana Ice News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, IN-- The Indiana Ice gained a wealth of coaching experience with the hiring of Dennis "Red" Gendron as the team's first head coach in its USHL era.
The veteran Gendron has been involved with hockey for over 20 years which includes high school, college and the pro ranks.
He has spent the last 11 years as a member of the New Jersey Devils organization where he began in the summer of 1993 as a technological specialist. His time with the Devils also included stints as a scout and assistant coach with the parent team and six years working with the team's top affiliate in the American Hockey League, the Albany River Rats. The obvious highlight of his tenure with New Jersey is his three Stanley Cup rings for the Devils' championships of 1995, 2000 and 2003.
"We are excited and proud to introduce Red Gendron as our head coach," said Ice General Manager Josh Mervis. "He brings us instant credibility as he will provide exceptional teaching skills to our athletes and he has a reputation that is second to none."
Gendron, 46, was the head coach the last two years with Albany of the AHL. His two-year run with the "Rats" saw him coach a young squad that included 23 different New Jersey Draft Picks with an average age of 22. Five of those players who made their pro debuts with Gendron made the jump to the NHL.
"I am excited to be moving to Indianapolis and working with up and coming hockey players," said Gendron. "The USHL is the premier developmental league for young hockey players in the United States. I look forward to teaching these young men and I hope to guide them in their collegiate and pro pursuits."
Prior to his involvement at the pro level, Gendron represented the United States as an assistant coach during the 1993, 2001 and 2002 World Junior Championships and served on the staffs of several U.S. select 16 and 17-year-old teams.
"After spending several days with Red, his character sold me," said Ice owner Paul Skjodt. "Red has all the attributes of what I was looking for in a coach. His coaching resume speaks for itself."
He also enjoyed success at the collegiate level as he was an assistant coach at the University of Maine under the tutelage of the late and legendary Shawn Walsh for three seasons. During his term with the powerhouse Black Bears, the club captured the 1993 NCAA Championship, two Hockey East regular season titles and two playoff championships.
Away from the rink, Gendron received his Masters Degree in education administration in 1993 from Maine and is also a graduate of New England College, where he majored in education and social studies. He is a native New Englander and is married to wife, Janet and the couple have two daughters, Katelyn and Allison. He is also the co-author of the book "Coaching Hockey Successfully."
United States Hockey League Stories from June 17, 2004
- Gendron to guide Indiana Ice - USHL
- Ice looks to veteran Gendron to guide team - Indiana Ice
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