Tuesday, 26. August 2025 | EHC Red Bull München: “Who are you?” with Gabriel Fontaine – player profile
Between literature, electronic music, and travel: that's Gabriel Fontaine“Who are you?” - the new portrait series of the Red Bulls// PORTRAIT Our series “Who are you?” continues with Gabriel Fontaine. The Canadian, who has grown to love Europe in recent years, talks about interesting hobbies, a visit to Berghain, and a special blackout.When away on trips or in their free time, professional ice hockey players often play on the PlayStation or other game consoles. Fontaine, on the other hand, likes to pick up a good book in his spare time. "Not long ago, I read Tout le bleu du ciel (All the Blue in the Sky).
I don't want to give too much of the story away, but the book opens your eyes in a way,“ says the 28-year-old. Music is also very important to him, and Fontaine has a current recommendation here too. ”I was in Montreal during the summer break and there was a German artist there at the time: Marlon Hoffstadt. I went to one of his concerts and it was great," says the Canadian.
For context: the DJ is from Berlin and produces electronic music – Fontaine's favorite genre for getting in the mood before a game.
During his time in Berlin, our new Eisbären signing also managed to visit Berghain, a legendary techno club with a worldwide reputation. He laughs: "What an experience! I'm not sure if I'd go back. But I'd recommend everyone to try it once." However, songs by Sido are also high up on his playlist, even though he doesn't understand all the lyrics of the Berlin rapper.
Fontaine wants to keep scoring
Speaking of Berlin, the German capital is a hot topic anyway. After all, our new number 97 moved there during the summer break before joining the Red Bulls. The forward recently had the best season of his career, scoring 49 points (22 goals), a personal best in the professional ranks. He thus played a key role in Berlin's championship title. He now wants to confirm this form in Munich. “I had a good year offensively. I expect the same from myself this season,” said the left-handed shooter.
Fontaine sees himself as a two-way forward who is active at both ends of the ice. “I can play center or on the wings, and I think I'm also responsible defensively. I just try to help my team win,” he explains.
Episode 7 – “Who Are You?” with Gabriel Fontaine
// PORTRAIT
NHL draft caused a “blackout”
After all, victories and triumphs are still the greatest thing for every athlete. “Winning the championship with Berlin was pretty cool,” Fontaine says, looking back on his first year in Germany. The offensive player also mentions two other highlights in his career. First, he won the QMJHL, one of Canada's top three junior leagues, with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in 2016. However, they didn't make it to the Memorial Cup, the official junior championship in the motherland of ice hockey. "Unfortunately, we lost in overtime in the final against the London Knights with Mitch Marner, Evan Bouchard, and Matthew Tkachuk. It was still a great year,“ he recalls.
June 25, 2016, was also a special day in his life. On that date, he was drafted by the New York Rangers in the sixth round, 171st overall, at the former First Niagara Center in Buffalo. Fontaine was there with his parents. ”When I heard my name, I kind of blacked out. I don't remember everything, but it was incredible," Fontaine said with a laugh about what is probably the most emotional moment for any young player.
A special honor – even without playing in the NHL
However, he did not get to play in the NHL in the years that followed, instead playing in the AHL. From his point of view, the time after the draft was unfortunate. “As a young player, you wait for your chance. And when my window opened, I got injured two years in a row. It was just bad luck,” he said. At least he got to play for the Rangers in a few exhibition games at the legendary Madison Square Garden – in front of his family. Fontaine enthuses: "It was only in preseason, but it was still a great experience to wear that jersey. The history and culture of the Rangers are unique.“
An idol in the family
But the Montreal Canadiens, his favorite NHL team, are also one of the most glorious clubs in the world. It's no wonder that Fontaine cheers on the ”Habs." After all, he was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec. And so, how could it be otherwise, as the youngest of three children, he fell in love with our sport at an early age. “I have an older brother and an older sister. My brother also played ice hockey. When I was younger, I wanted to be like him. He was my first role model,” Fontaine recounts.
“My father built an ice rink in our backyard, so I followed in my brother's footsteps. And that's how I got into ice hockey.” Fontaine was truly overwhelmed when he saw his first NHL game live.
“The level, the speed, and just seeing how they shoot,” he says. At that time, he was particularly focused on Montreal's legendary Finnish captain Saku Koivu, who was the first European to lead the Canadiens from 1999 to 2009. “He was the best player there and had a special status,” says Fontaine.
Moving to Europe pays off
The Munich resident still has strong ties to his homeland. However, in 2022, he decided to pack up and move to Europe. He chose Lukko Rauma in Finland. It was not an easy decision.
“I wasn't a big fan of Europe before,” he admits. “I was very close to my family and thought I would stay in North America forever.” However, his injuries led him to rethink his plans and prompted him to seek a new career path. One of his best friends from home was playing in Rauma at the time, and that's how the move came about. It was the right move.
“Of course, I had to adapt to the larger ice rink, and ice hockey in Finland is different too. Over time, I started to love it – and now I want to stay in Europe for as long as possible,” says Fontaine enthusiastically.
He is also impressed and even surprised by the level of play in the individual leagues. “I thought it would be a little easier to play ice hockey here,” he admits. “I was lucky enough to play in the Champions League for the last three years. And so I quickly realized that every league in Europe is really good.” That also applies to the PENNY DEL, of course.
Looking forward to England and Oktoberfest
Off the ice, Fontaine has also seen a lot in the last three years. Among other places, he has been to Italy, Spain, Sweden, Austria, and Switzerland. And he already has his next destination in mind. “I want to go to England during my next two breaks. I'm a big golfer and would love to play on the old courses there.” But he would also like to visit the Alps.
A visit to Oktoberfest is not really a vacation, but it still feels like a little break. Last year, he celebrated his Oktoberfest debut in Berlin. His first impression? “It was like a big party and I enjoyed it.” In a few weeks, he will be back with the Red Bulls. And then he will be wearing the traditional costume of our partner Angermaier. “I'm really looking forward to it. After all, there's a reason why people from all over the world come together there.” Maybe he'll even meet people from his homeland, because Canadians also love the world's largest folk festival.
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