THN.com/podcast. From THN On The 'Q': Semifinals Underway and Bruins from the QMJHL Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk4MTEzMjIxNzU0NzU4MzM0/quebecremparts.jpg] The Quebec Remparts are sending coach Patrick Roy out on a high note, capturing the Gilles-Courteau Trophy as the QMJHL champions in his final season behind the bench. The Remparts defeated the Halifax Mooseheads and capped off the series with an epic comeback win in Game 6 en route to the QMJHL title. It was a fitting end for a fiery and demanding coach and a team built for a title run this season. After being eliminated in the playoffs last year, Roy blamed officiating and then explained that his future was up in the air. He returned in 2022-23 for one final season behind the Remparts bench, coaching a very strong Quebec team to the best record in the QMJHL. After Halifax went up 4-3 with less than five minutes to go in Game 6, Quebec scored twice before regulation ended, including a last-minute goal from Pierre-Olivier Roy. The back-and-forth affair saw five goals scored in the second period and Halifax doing everything they could to stay alive. A strong third period from Quebec had them pummeling Halifax with pressure until ultimately breaking through and breaking the hearts of everyone in the Nova Scotia capital. Also a GM and co-owner of the club, Roy has been known for coaching an up-tempo game, winning a lot of matches and wearing his heart on his sleeve leading to the occasional outburst. He brought in Simon Gange to apprentice under him this year and take over as the coach for next season. Before that happens though, the Hockey Hall of Famer secured the club's first league title under his tutelage. In his first year coaching the team in 2005-06, they lost in the QMJHL final but were granted a spot in the Memorial Cup as the host Moncton Wildcats were hosting of the tournament. They avenged their QMJHL final loss to Moncton by defeating them in the Memorial Cup final. Roy will look to bookend his coaching run in Quebec with Memorial Cup titles when they vie for the CHL championship in Kamloops beginning May 26. Quebec captain Theo Rochette led the way for the Remparts in the final. His offensive creativity and timely scoring helped the Remparts get out to a big lead in the series. His nine points led the Remparts in scoring in the league final. The undrafted leader of the squad will surely attract pro interest after a 100-point season in the QMJHL capped off by a big championship run. Mid-season acquisition Justin Robidas led the team in scoring throughout the playoffs with 28 points. Although he was only a point-per-game player in his 24 games with the team to finish the regular season, the Carolina prospect exploded in the playoffs. Robidas provided the exact offensive punch that the Remparts envisioned when they acquired him for a haul of picks. James Malatesta led the team in goals during the playoffs and scored the overtime-winner in Game 3. The Columbus Blue Jackets prospect has been one of the team’s most lethal shooters and has found a way to be dangerous nearly every game. His late second-period goal got the Remparts back into Game 6. Quebec netminder William Rousseau has been strong for the Remparts as well. He hasn’t had to steal games, but he has done so anyways throughout the playoffs. Rousseau was the catalyst when it came to shutting down the offensive punch of the Mooseheads. The QMJHL champion Quebec Remparts will be looking to continue the QMJHL’s dominant run at the Memorial Cup. QMJHL teams have won the last three tournaments in 2018 (Acadie-Bathurst Titan), 2019 (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies) and 2022 (Saint John Sea Dogs). The 2020 and 2021 tournaments were cancelled. If Patrick Roy is destined for another NHL coaching gig, a win at the Memorial Cup would be one heck of a way to depart the 'Q'. Correction: The location of the 2023 Memorial Cup was fixed, as it is taking place in Kamloops, B.C. We apologize for the error.
