Left-winger Jean-Guy Gendron played nearly 900 NHL games for five different clubs between 1955 and 1972. He was a fine goal scorer who embraced defensive responsibilities if that kept him in the line up. The hard working forward also toiled in the WHA and was a solid AHL competitor.
The Montreal native played junior with the Trois Rivieres Reds before making his pro debut with the AHL's Providence Reds in 1954-55. The following season he was a steady role player in 63 games as a rookie with the New York Rangers. Gendron filled a utility role with the Blueshirts for two more years before he was claimed by the Boston Bruins in the Intra-League Draft in June, 1956.
Gendron was given more offensive responsibilities in Beantown and set a career high with 24 goals in 1959-60 while playing with Jerry Toppazzini and Charlie Burns. He also spent part of a season with the Montreal Canadiens and the 1961-62 schedule back in New York. In 1962 Gendron returned to Boston for a couple of years before he was relegated to the AHL. He returned to the NHL in 1967 after his Quebec Aces club was purchased by the expansion Philadelphia Flyers. Gendron provided leadership and three straight 20-goal performances for his new club before joining the Quebec Nordiques of the newly founded WHA in 1972-73. He played a checking role for two year in the provincial capital before retiring in 1974.
