Patrick Holway is staying in France: The former Villacher SV defender has extended his contract with Rouen and will also play for the top French club in the 2026/27 season.
The future of the 29-year-old American has now been clarified after he was considered an interesting name on the transfer market following his strong season in Ligue Magnus.
Difficult time at VSV
Holway moved to Villacher SV in the summer of 2024 with a lot of experience from North America and Slovakia. The 1.95 meter tall defender should primarily ensure stability and physical presence on defense.
However, the former Detroit Red Wings draft pick in the ICE Hockey League was only able to partially fulfill his expectations. Although Holway collected a solid 18 points scorer in 41 games, his time in Villach remained inconsistent defensively. The right-wing shooter was repeatedly criticized for his performance and was unable to fully meet the high expectations. After just one season, they parted ways again.
A successful restart in France
The move to Rouen, however, turned into a real new start for Holway. Last season, the defender was one of the strongest offensive defenders in Ligue Magnus.
Holway recorded a strong 34 points in 44 games, impressively confirming his offensive qualities. The American also showed consistent performances in the playoffs and collected another five assists. Those responsible in Rouen have now responded with a contract extension for the 2026/27 season.
Former NHL draft pick
Holway was drafted in the sixth round by the Detroit Red Wings in 2015. He then played several years in US college hockey as well as in the AHL and ECHL. Among other things, he played 76 games in the AHL for the Grand Rapids Griffins and the San Jose Barracuda. His path ultimately led him to France via stations in Slovakia and Austria.
Image: VSV/Krammer
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