Patrick Roy On A Year Behind Islanders Bench: 'It's Been A Privilege'

Jan. 20 marks a year for the Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender as head coach of the New York Islanders.

EAST MEADOW, NY -- Time flies, as it's already been a year since the New York Islanders hired Patrick Roy as their head coach.

It's also been a full season. Their 4-1 win over the San Jose Sharks marked the 82nd game the Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender has coached behind the Blue and Orange bench.

The Islanders are 38-32-12 over that span, averaging 2.83 goals per game, allowing 2.96. Their power play is at 14.7 percent, with the penalty kill at 68.2 percent. 

When Roy took over last season, his fire and passion helped spark his group. The team eventually went on a late-season run to sneak into the playoffs, finishing third in the Metropolitan Division. 

However, after five games, the Carolina Hurricanes bounced them from the first round. 

There was reason for optimism and hope that a full training camp under Ro could have the team flying out of the gates in 2024-25 instead of stumbling like we had seen the past few seasons. 

But, they stumbled again as significant injuries made it impossible to find consistency early. Despite their struggles, the Islanders survived the first half enough to remain in the playoff picture. 

However, with a mostly healthy team, Roy has had difficulty getting much-needed results as the season has started to slip away. 

"It's been..I mean, I cannot say it's been great because we haven't won enough, as much as I wish," Roy said on his tenure as Islanders head coach. "The fans have been great. I love my life on Long Island, and the organization is A-1. It's been a privilege for me to be back in the game and have the opportunity to work with Lou. I mean, it's a great experience. I'm learning a lot from him.

"I enjoy being around these guys. This is a special group. They've been together for a long time, and they care, and we just need to find that little spark that will help us win. And if we could do that, I mean, I'm sure I'm going to have even more fun being here."

The Islanders are the second NHL team Roy has coached, as he was the bench boss for his former squad, the Colorado Avalanche, from 2014-2016.

Things went south toward the end of his tenure in Colorado. A few months before the start of the 2016-17 season, he left the bench because of a disagreement with upper management on the direction of the team. 

Roy returned to coach the Quebec Remparts, his second stint with that junior team, while he awaited for another NHL opportunity, one that he didn't know he'd ever get again. 

Now that Roy is back behind an NHL bench, he is taking nothing for granted. 

"I appreciate the opportunity probably more than the first time," Roy said. "Maybe the first time in Colorado, I took things for granted. Now I'm here, and I'm going to work hard for these guys. I'm going to work hard for these fans, and I'm going to do my best to help this franchise win and that's my only objective.

"I want to be part of something special, and I'm thankful to have the opportunity, and I'm going to continue to do that and work as hard as I can. You're learning every day. There are a lot of good coaches in this game and every day, you're learning from these guys, and that makes you better.'

A few weeks after taking the job, Roy brought in his 36-year-old assistant coach with Quebec, Benoit Desrosiers, as an assistant. 

The Hockey News asked Roy if it's been extra special getting to coach this second stint alongside Benoit.

In the five years I coached the junior team in Quebec [second stint], Benny's been there for me and pushed me, and it's nice to have him with me,' Roy said. "And he deserved to be here. He's a great hockey guy, and he's got a good mind, and I'm very fortunate to work with Tommy [Albelin], John [MacLean] and Piero [Greco].

"This is a great staff and I'm very privileged to be around so many good people in this organization."

Last season, Roy had less than a day before he hit the ice with the Islanders for the first time before their game against the Dallas Stars.

The result was a 3-2 overtime win, with Bo Horvat burying the game-winner. 

Let's see what Monday night brings against the Columbus Blue Jackets. 

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