Defenseman Zach Redmond Signs in Germany

It was only a matter of time before news would start coming out regarding players going oversea’s but I didn’t expect that first bit of news to be related to now former Rochester Americans defenseman Zach Redmond. The German team EHC Red Bull Munich announed that they have signed Redmond for the 2020-2021 season.

Redmond is quoted on the clubs web site saying, “For me and my family, moving to Europe is a very good opportunity, both from a sporting and a private point of view, to gain new experiences.”

[ redbullmuenchen.de – Zach Redmond Joins the Red Bulls ]

Zach Redmond arrived in Rochester at the start of the 2017-2018 season when the Buffalo Sabres traded Nicolas Deslauriers to the Montreal Canadians in exchange for the defenseman. It was a change of scenery trade for both players who weren’t in the immediate plans for the NHL teams. After a stellar first season with the Amerks tallying 47 points (15G+32A) he signed a lucrative two-year American League contract. He made $625,000 the first season of that contract and $650,000 the next. Just below NHL league minimum for an AHL contract.

The contract was not only a sign of how well he played but also how he was viewed as a leader on the team. It was also a contract that benefitted him personally with stability, something he didn’t really have over previous seasons going up and down between teams.

“We have been watching Redmond for the past three years. As early as February of this year, he clearly signaled to us that he would most likely make the leap to Europe in the Bavarian capital,” explains Christian Winkler, Managing Director Sports and Managing Director of EHC Red Bull Munich.

Redmond scored a total of 21 goals in the 2018-2019 season and had broken a franchise record that stood for 46 years when Rick Pagnutti scored 18 goals during the 1972/1973. Redmond broke the record on January 23, 2019 when he scored his 19th of the season and with the pace he was on likely would’ve reached 30+ but a freak fall later in the same game put him on the injured list. He missed the following 11 games, returned for 12 games tallying 2G+8A before missing another six games.

The goal scoring touch faded in this shortened 2019-2020 season when he finished with 30 points (5G+25A) in 59 games played.

He made an impression in Rochester both on the ice and especially off the ice. He was always willing to take time to chat with media offering his thoughts and opinions and off the ice he was a fan favorite. His hockey story has been incredible with the adversity he has gone through and he’s as humble as can be. He’ll always talk about team first, not personal achievements even when he broke records.

The Rochester blue line may look different next season (whenever that is). The only players currently signed to contracts for 2020-2021 are Will Borgen, Jacob Bryson, Casey Fitzgerald, Lawrence Pilut, and incoming rookie Mattias Samuelsson. The list of unrestricted free agents includes Andrew MacWilliam, John Gilmour, and Casey Nelson. Brandon Hickey and Matthew Spencer are on the restricted free agent list.

The announcement from EHC Red Bull Munchen:

https://twitter.com/RedBullMuenchen/status/1254319464889319424?s=20

1 thought on “Defenseman Zach Redmond Signs in Germany”
  1. Sad for the Amerks that Zach Redmond is leaving. But I understand that he needs to do what’s best for him and his family.

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