Red Gendron, the head coach of the University of Maine men’s hockey team, died unexpectedly on April 9, 2021, at the age of 63. He suffered a medical emergency at a golf course in Orono, Maine, and was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital[^1^][1] [^2^][2]. His death shocked and saddened the hockey community, as he was widely respected and admired for his passion, knowledge, and achievements in the sport. This article will look back at the life, career, and impact of Red Gendron, and how he is remembered by his players, colleagues, and fans.
## A Lifelong Love for Hockey
Red Gendron was born on November 27, 1957, in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in Berlin, New Hampshire. He developed a love for hockey at an early age, and played as a goaltender for his high school team. He graduated from Berlin High School in 1976, and went on to attend New England College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history in 1979. He also played hockey for the college team, and was named the team’s most valuable player in his senior year.
Gendron’s first coaching job was as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Berlin High School, from 1979 to 1981. He then moved to Vermont, where he became the head coach of Bellows Free Academy in St. Albans. He led the team to four state championships in nine seasons, and was twice named the Vermont coach of the year. He also coached future NHL star John LeClair, who later credited Gendron for his development as a player[^3^][3].
## A Successful Collegiate and Professional Coach
In 1990, Gendron made the jump to the collegiate level, as he joined the University of Maine as an assistant coach under Shawn Walsh. He helped the Black Bears win their first NCAA championship in 1993, with a record of 42-1-2. He also coached two Hobey Baker Award winners, Scott Pellerin and Paul Kariya, who went on to have stellar NHL careers.
Gendron’s coaching skills caught the attention of the New Jersey Devils, who hired him as a technological specialist in 1993. He was promoted to assistant coach the following year, and was part of the staff that led the Devils to their first Stanley Cup title in 1995. He also served as an assistant coach for the Devils’ AHL affiliate, the Albany River Rats, from 1996 to 2000, and as a scout for the Devils from 2000 to 2002. He won two more Stanley Cups with the Devils in 2000 and 2003.
Gendron returned to the AHL as the head coach of the Albany River Rats in 2002, but was replaced midway through the 2003-04 season. He then coached the Indiana Ice of the USHL in 2004-05, before going back to the collegiate ranks as an assistant coach at UMass Amherst from 2005 to 2011, and as an associate head coach at Yale University from 2011 to 2013. He helped Yale win its first NCAA championship in 2013.
## A Beloved Leader of the Maine Black Bears
In 2013, Gendron fulfilled his dream of becoming the head coach of the University of Maine, where he had spent some of his best years as an assistant. He took over a program that had struggled in recent seasons, and tried to restore its glory and tradition. He coached the Black Bears for eight seasons, compiling a record of 103-137-33. His best season was in 2019-20, when he led the team to an 18-11-5 record and a third-place finish in Hockey East. He was a finalist for the Spencer Penrose Award, given to the national coach of the year.
Gendron was known for his fiery and passionate personality, as well as his deep knowledge and love of the game. He was a mentor and a friend to his players, who respected and admired him for his honesty, integrity, and dedication. He was also a loyal and generous colleague, who supported and collaborated with his fellow coaches and staff. He was a proud and active member of the Maine community, who participated in various events and causes. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, who cherished his family above all.
## A Lasting Legacy and Influence
Red Gendron’s sudden and tragic death left a huge void in the hockey world, and especially in the Maine hockey family. He was mourned and honored by his former players, colleagues, and fans, who shared their memories and tributes on social media and in the media. He was also remembered by his peers and rivals in the hockey community, who praised him for his contributions and achievements in the sport. He was hailed as a legend, a leader, and a friend, who touched and inspired many lives.
Red Gendron’s legacy and influence will live on through his recordings, his writings, and his teachings. He was the author of two books, Coaching Hockey Successfully and Coaching Hockey: The Game Within the Game, which are widely regarded as valuable resources for hockey coaches at all levels. He was also a frequent speaker and presenter at various clinics and conferences, where he shared his insights and wisdom on the game. He was a mentor and a role model for many aspiring and current coaches, who learned from his experience and philosophy.
Red Gendron was a hockey coach who had it all: talent, passion, and success. But he also had a heart, a soul, and a spirit, that made him more than just a coach. He was a human being, who cared and loved deeply. He was a hero, and a legend, in his own right.
