Phantoms sign Finnish pro and NCAA product, Mike Gennello to 2026-27 Subsitution Contract

INTERNATIONAL SCORER AND EXPERIENCED COACH MIKE GENNELLO SIGNS AS FALL/WINTER SUBSTITUTE

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The West Michigan Phantoms are adding another Gennello to the family—and this one arrives with an international playing and coaching résumé.

Forward Mike Gennello, the older brother of Phantom defenseman Ezra Gennello, has signed as a substitute for the Fall/Winter 2026–27 season.

The 5-foot-9, 165-pound right-shot center developed through the Mercer Chiefs, Hebron Academy, the EHL and USPHL before competing at the NCAA Division III level with Framingham State University.

Gennello later took his game overseas. He recorded one goal and six assists for seven points in 25 games with Muik Hockey in Finland’s Suomi-sarja before becoming a captain and offensive leader with HC Tel Aviv in Israel.

His HC Tel Aviv résumé includes 35 goals, 48 assists and 83 points in 36 overall appearances. That included seven goals and nine assists for 16 points in only five games during the 2025–26 season.

Combining his listed totals from Finland and Israel, Gennello has produced 36 goals, 54 assists and 90 points in 61 international club appearances.

His hockey knowledge has also carried him behind the bench. Gennello joined the Vernal Oilers as an assistant coach during the 2022–23 USPHL Premier season and later served as interim head coach. The Oilers finished 34-5-5, scored 284 goals, allowed only 132 and captured first place in the Northwest Division.

Gennello returned as a head coach during the 2023–24 season, helping Vernal post a 29-9-6 record while once again finishing first in the Northwest Division. The Oilers scored 222 goals while allowing 138.

During his two seasons on the Vernal coaching staff, the Oilers combined for a 63-14-11 record, outscored their opponents 506-270 and captured consecutive division championships.

His coaching experience has also reached the international stage. Gennello served as an assistant coach with Israel at the 2025 IIHF World Championship Division IIA tournament and remained on the national-team staff for the 2026 Division IIB tournament.

Whether scoring goals, setting up teammates or teaching the game from behind the bench, Gennello has built a career around production, leadership and hockey knowledge.

Ezra may have joined the Phantoms first, but big brother arrives with 90 international club points, two division-winning seasons behind the bench and enough passport stamps to require an extra page.

Welcome to the Phantoms, Mike Gennello!