Islanders In January & February It seemed like it was just a matter of time before Benoit Desrosiers joined the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/mathew-barzal-patrick-roy-new-york-islanders-all-star-event] bench. After rumors swirled about him joining Patrick Roy [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/mathew-barzal-patrick-roy-new-york-islanders-all-star-event] circulated a few weeks ago, before the Islanders shut down the rumors, they picked back up again. And On Friday morning, the Islanders made the hiring official: The 35-year-old served as an assistant coach in the QMJHL from 2021 through 2023 and spent the last five seasons working alongside Patrick Roy with the Remparts, winning a Memorial Cup in 2023. Desrosiers was named head coach of the Gatineau Olympiques [https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/1748/gatineau-olympiques] for this season, but now he gets an opportunity in the NHL to help get the Islanders playing the structured hockey Roy wants them to as they push for a 2024 Stanley Cup Playoff berth. John MacLean and Doug Houda remain on the staff.