With Yann Fillion bidding farewell to Halifax, questions arise over Wanderers' goalkeeper situation

It's official: veteran goalkeeper Yann Fillion will not be returning to the Halifax Wanderers next year.

Fillion, 28, signed with the East Coast club in 2023, immediately adding stability to a young squad. Over his time with the Wanderers, the Ottawa-native registered an impressive 55 starts across all competitions, helping to guide the club to their first ever playoff appearance last year.

However, with the Wanderers underperforming in 2024, Fillion has become the first player to officially move on, announcing on an Instagram post that he'll not be back.

"As I say farewell to the beautiful city of Halifax and my club, the HFX Wanderers, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude," wrote Fillion on Friday night. "The warmth and hospitality of the people here on the East Coast have made my time back on home soil unforgettable."

Now, with Fillion's departure, a hole has materialized in the Wanderers' depth chart: they officially have no goalkeepers signed for 2025 as they decide whether to exercise Aiden Rushenas' contract option. But it's not as simple as just giving the young keeper the nod. Given his May birthday, Rushenas will no longer count as a U-21 player next year, meaning the club has to decide if he's earned his spot without the added benefit of accumulating U-21 minutes.

As of Friday, the club was still deliberating its options as it pertains to Rushenas and their goalkeeper situation.

"Now, the true tests comes: will he stay on and get the contract? We'll find out and we're discussing that. I think he's been fantastic," said head coach Patrice Gheisar when asked about Rushenas' future.

"I think the true role of a U-21 player is for a coach to prepare them to get a contract after their U-21 tenure is over. Some guys grow more rapidly than others and some have a peak and a drop, a peak and a drop. All we can do is support them and stick by them."

Rushenas made his professional debut for the Wanderers this season after spending several years with the squad, first solely in training and then as a U-Sports player. He signed a first-team contract at the beginning of the season and earned his first career win — out of four starts — last Saturday as Halifax beat York United 2-1 at the Wanderers Grounds. The Wanderers have also retained the U-Sports rights for goalkeeper Dan Clarke, who is currently playing with Cape Breton University.

The club has until December 31st to exercise Rushenas' contract option.

Cover Photo Credit: Trevor MacMillan / Halifax Wanderers FC