The news of Patrick Roy's hiring as head coach of the New York Islanders spread quickly throughout Quebec on Saturday, and the hockey player knows it very well and appreciates it.
In addition, Roy's third game at the helm of the team will take place on Thursday in Montreal, where he experienced some of the best moments of his playing career.
“We have two big games ahead of us, Dallas and Vegas,” he told our colleague Renaud Lavoie on Sunday. I looked at the schedule and we're done before the All-Star break against the Panthers, it's going to be a really good challenge. But I'm looking forward to going to Montreal. I didn’t have a great ending, but I had a great time with the organization.”
“It's behind me now, but I can't deny the love that people show me every time I go to Montreal,” he added. To feel that support, to see that people continue to encourage and support me, I’m really grateful for that.”
Impressed by Lamoriello
If Roy is now the Islanders' coach, it's largely thanks to the respect he has for the team's venerable general manager, Lou Lamoriello. A few days ago he took his first steps towards Roy and the two men quickly found themselves on the same wavelength.
“It happened very quickly,” Roy admitted of his hiring process.
“Earlier in the week I got a call from Lou Lamoriello, he came to meet me in Florida and we had a really nice exchange,” he said. Then he returned to Long Island and called me back a few days later to tell me he was ready to make a coaching change.”
- Listen to the interview with Nicole Bouchard, long-time follower of Patrick Roy, on the microphone by Alexandre Dubé via
QUB radio
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“He wanted to know if I was interested,” the 58-year-old continued. I said: “Given the conversion we have made, there is no doubt in my mind.” I was impressed by the man, his values, his will to win, it was impossible for me to refuse the invitation.
The Quebecer also had good words about team owner Scott Malkin.
“He (Lamoriello) told me about the owner, Mr. Malkin,” he said. I was always very lucky: in Montreal we had the Molson family, in Colorado the Kroenke family, we always had good owners. I have always believed that leadership begins there.”
“I spoke to Mr. Malkin and to Lou yesterday and saw what they want to win, a team that will be successful… so far I'm enjoying the adventure,” he added. These are big challenges that lie ahead of me.”
Mentors
In addition to the support of Lamoriello, who has had a long and successful career in the NHL, Roy will have another good ally whom he can always turn to for advice: Jacques Lemaire, who is a special advisor in the Islanders organization.
“As I told Jacques, I have come a long way as a coach on my own,” Roy said. Work independently, learn on the job. To have a person like him… I want him to tell me the real things without wearing white gloves because I lost my white gloves when I was very young.
“I told Lou Lamoriello the same thing,” he continued. I really feel that Jacques will help me a lot. This allows me to become even better. I know I can still improve, my goal is to continue to develop as a head coach and use these two people as mentors.
Watch the full interview in the main video.