Seven months after announcing their departure from the Quebec Remparts, Patrick Roy and Jacques Tanguay are teaming up again. Along with the president and CEO of the Grandio group, Jean Bédard, Roy and Tanguay joined the group of shareholders of the Boxers de Bordeaux, a team that plays in the Ligue Magnus, the French professional hockey circuit.
By purchasing 18.5% of the team’s shares, the Quebec trio thus becomes the second largest shareholder of the club, behind the president and general manager, Thierry Parienty.
It was Bédard who contacted the two long-time friends and partners to gauge their interest in joining him in the Boxers adventure. Remember that Bédard opened a first La Cage brasserie in Europe, in Bordeaux more precisely, last June and has not hidden his desire to break into the European market.
“Jean called me to see if I was interested in joining the organization. That day, I was with Patrick and we decided together to embark on the adventure. We will be able to bring our expertise and give our advice if necessary, in addition to having fun,” Tanguay told Newspaper.
Patrick Roy, Jean Bédard and Jacques Tanguay during a game of golf
Photo provided by the Bordeaux Boxers
An opportunity for Quebec players
The three men met the managers of the Boxers by videoconference, including the team’s general manager, Stéphan Tartari, who wore the colors of the Harfangs de Beauport in the QMJHL in the early 90s, before Tanguay, Roy and Michel Cadrin did not acquire the franchise in December 1996.
For Tanguay, it was first of all an interesting business opportunity and a way to stay involved in a sport that fascinates him along with his good friend Patrick Roy. He also believes that the investment of their trio could help bring more players from here into this European league.
“Patrick and I have always been lovers of junior hockey. The players’ journey ends in one place: in different professional levels or in the job market. We may be able to offer them an interesting alternative,” he believes.
Archive photo, Stevens LeBlanc
Currently, the Boxers count on five players from Quebec: Mathieu Pompei, Charles-David Beaudoin, Loïk Poudrier, Maxime Legault and Ludovic Karsh.
Patrick Roy as coach?
We concluded the interview with Tanguay by telling him, semi-jokingly, that his business partner was available to lead the team if necessary.
“That’s not going to happen,” the businessman laughed. There is no hiding place, Patrick has gone to rest. He still has great potential for the future in a sport that has always fascinated him.”
The two men have still not had the opportunity to tour their new team’s facilities, which they plan to do in the coming months.