What do Roy and his players remember from their first skate together?

On this day last season, Patrick Roy hit the ice with the New York Islanders for the first time since being named head coach. 

There wasn't much time for greetings and salutations, as the team was to play a game just hours later when they welcomed the Dallas Stars to town. 

Following Monday's morning skate, The Hockey News asked Patrick Roy and a few players what they remember from their first day together. 

"I won't lie. I was very nervous," Roy said. "It had been, what, almost a year, since I was behind a bench or on the ice coaching a group. And it had been a while since I was coaching at the  NHL level. So I was excited, but I was also very nervous. 

"It was the first time stepping into a situation in the middle of a season. I always had training camp to prepare. So it was a new experience, and I'm thankful for it."

Forward Mathew Barzal just remembers how massive a day it was for the Islanders. 

"It was a big day for this organization," Barzal said. "I think just having a presence like Patrick in the room was huge for this group and for this organization.”

For Kyle Palmieri, he remembers one thing specifically. 

"A lot of whistling. We got introduced to his personal whistle quite a bit during that practice," Palmieri said. "It was a bit of a whirlwind those first couple weeks. Obviously, there's some new things he wants to implement, but in season, the amount of practice time you get, there's only so much you can go over. So I think it was a little bit of cramming for the test in the changes he wanted to make. 

"But for the most part, he came in and just wanted to instill his belief in our group and the belief that maybe wavered a little bit for us. We found a way to kind of come together and make a push for the playoffs last year but it's a situation that we're once again in, and we'll try and find a way as a group to get out of it."

Because Palmieri began his career out west with the Anaheim Ducks, he had already interacted with Roy before meeting him on Long Island.

"He's as passionate as a coach as I've ever played for," Palmieri told THN. "My first introduction was on the Anaheim bench when he tried going across the glass to Bruce Boudreau. I think that's just kind of how he was a player. He's a competitor. And I don't think that wavered at all with him as a coach and making that transition. 

"So I think that passion he brings and that intensity is something that bleeds into our group."

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Simon Holmstrom, who has grown immensely as a player for Long Island over Roy's year here, 

"The first thing you noticed was a lot of energy," Holmstrom said. "I think there's a lot of differences in the way we played and practiced from then on out. It's been a big change, but I think it's been a good chance as well. So, I'm super happy to have him there. 

After that skate, the Islanders came from behind to beat the Dallas Stars 3-2 in overtime, with Bo Horvat burying the game-winner.

They'll look to come away victorious against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night to honor the anniversary. 

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