In his version 1.0, Patrick Roy was an exceptional goalkeeper. 551 victories. Four Stanley Cups. Three Conn-Smythe and Georges-Vézina trophies. His leadership was revered. His confidence, unmatched.
In his 2.0 version, Patrick Roy was a talented head coach. In his first season behind the Colorado Avalanche bench, he was elected coach of the year in the National League. He was intense. Very intense. Too much ? Maybe. His impulsiveness and his desire to be involved in all the organization’s hockey decisions precipitated his departure from Denver, with the consequences that we know. For years, other teams stayed away from it.
“When I left Colorado, I thought the phone was going to ring sooner. It was not the case. I understood that the way I left the team was perhaps not the right way,” he admitted on Saturday.
Roy could have become discouraged. Quit hockey. Spending the winter in Florida, perfecting your putts and watching popsicles melt. It’s not in his nature.
At 52, he preferred to return to prove himself in the QMJHL, and embody these verses of Boileau.
Make haste slowly ; and, without losing courage, Twenty times on the loom submit your work.
For what ? To achieve his ambition and win a fifth Stanley Cup. This time as head coach.
“I’m proud to have taken the time to return to junior. To have worked with these players. For recharging my batteries. I made sure to stay abreast of the new culture. Players today are different from those of my era. I’m glad I did that, and got that call. »
Who was on the other end of the line?
Lou Lamoriello. Tired of seeing his team lose, the big boss of the New York Islanders wanted to see Patrick Roy replace Lane Lambert behind the bench. “Patrick is the only person I was interested in. » Roy, who left the Remparts de Québec last summer, accepted. “It was an offer I couldn’t refuse. »
His five winters in the QMJHL transformed him.
When his name was circulated for the position of general manager of the Canadiens in 2022, I surveyed some of his close collaborators to better understand his management style. Here are my notes.
“He is a team guy who listens and respects the opinions of others. »
“He likes to be challenged, as long as your arguments are solid. »
“He’s the one who decides. He assumes the result, good or bad. »
This is version 3.0 of Patrick Roy.
“ [Entre le Colorado et maintenant], it’s day and night,” explained the new head coach of the Islanders on Saturday. “The main thing I learned, after a two-year break, then five seasons in junior, is to respect the role of head coach even more. Arrive early at the arena. Work hard to help players with ideas. I really want to establish [à New York] a partnership with the players, like we did in Colorado. We want the players to adhere to the initiatives of the coaching team. We want to help them achieve their goals. »
PHOTO DARRYL DYCK, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Victory for the Quebec Remparts at the Memorial Cup last June
His methods smiled on him in junior. Last spring, his Remparts won the Gilles-Courteau trophy and qualified for the Memorial Cup tournament. In the final, they faced the powerful Seattle Thunderbirds, who were banking on 10 players drafted into the NHL, and three players with professional experience. Roy managed his club masterfully. The Remparts won the national championship, crushing the Thunderbirds 5-0.
In New York, the objective set by Lou Lamoriello is clear. Patrick Roy will have to lead the Islanders to the playoffs. It’s a very big challenge. Yes, on Saturday night, the team was only two points away from eighth place in the Eastern Conference. The equivalent of a single victory. Except that in recent weeks, the Islanders really don’t win often. The club is in disarray. The attack is broken. The defense is a sieve. Outnumbered special units are absolutely nothing special. On the contrary.
Patrick Roy says he has ideas to revive the Islanders. He did not detail them at a press conference, preferring to present them first to his new players. It goes without saying.
Now, if there is a coach capable of overhauling this formation, it is him. His passion is contagious. His work ethic is impeccable. His perseverance? Inspiring.
“My career hasn’t always been a fairy tale,” he responded to a question about his goalkeepers. “Many see it as a Cinderella story. But that wasn’t it. I’ve had my ups and downs. I can help [mes joueurs] with the mental aspect of the game.”
Patrick Roy will not have time to celebrate his appointment for long. To put the Islanders back on the winning path, he will have to react quickly. His club has just suffered four consecutive defeats. Three of his next four games will pit him against elite teams: the Dallas Stars this Sunday, the Vegas Golden Knights Tuesday, and the Florida Panthers Saturday.
The other part ?
It will be against the Canadian.
Thursday evening.
To Montreal.
The stakes will be high. The atmosphere is electric. The poster, fantastic.
A high-intensity match like Patrick Roy always loved, and on which he built his legend.