Patrick Roy, in less than 24 hours after securing his first win as the New York Islanders head coach, is making swift changes to the coaching staff. Reports from Quebec indicate that Roy has enlisted Benoit Desrosiers to join him on the Islanders bench immediately. Desrosiers, the former head coach of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Gatineau Olympiques, has reportedly left his position to work alongside Roy in New York.
This move is not surprising given the extensive history between Desrosiers and Roy in junior hockey. Desrosiers previously served as an assistant coach under Roy for the Quebec Remparts from 2017 to 2023, where they won a Memorial Cup championship.
With their past success, it's evident that Roy aims to replicate that achievement at the NHL level with Desrosiers. Importantly, Desrosiers has ensured a smooth transition for his junior team, with Serge Beausoleil already named as his replacement behind the bench for the Olympiques.
Contrary to initial reports, the hiring of Benoit Desrosiers by the New York Islanders has not taken place, according to the organization.
While it remains a possibility in the future, as of now, Desrosiers has not joined the Islanders bench.
