Islanders coach Patrick Roy 'proud to be part' of same organization as Montreal native Mike Bossy
New York Islander legend and hockey Hall of Famer Mike Bossy is honored before a game between the Islanders and the Boston Bruins at Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015 in Uniondale, New York. By Jim McIsaac Credit: Jim McIsaac
Patrick Roy had no connection to the Islanders before being hired as the franchise’s 19th coach on Saturday, but he did have a close relationship with Islanders Hall of Famer and Montreal native Mike Bossy.
“We were neighbors in Montreal and his daughter was our babysitter,” Roy said before making his Islanders bench debut in a 3-2 overtime win over the Stars on Sunday night, a day after being hired.
“One day when I was at a game, one of my sons put his head between the rails on the stairs and his head was stuck there. So Mike had to come over and he cut that thing and opened it up so my son’s head could come out.”
Bossy died on April 14, 2022, at the age of 65 after battling lung cancer.
“It’s so sad what happened to him,” said Roy, a Hall of Fame goalie who played for the Canadiens from 1985-95. “He was so good, also for [French-language broadcasting network] TVA. He was a passionate person and loved the game and made his mark with the Islanders. I’m proud to be part of this organization, the same organization as his.”
Isles files
Noah Dobson and Mathew Barzal each had two assists . . . Roy pointedly said that 17 of the Stars’ 42 shots came off Islanders turnovers. “We rely too much on our goaltender,” Roy said. “If we want to cut down below 30 [shots], we’re going to have to do a better job not turning that puck over when we reach the neutral zone.” . . . Semyon Varlamov and Pierre Engvall participated in the morning skate, their first time on ice with teammates since getting hurt . . . Mike Reilly and Oliver Wahlstrom remained healthy scratches.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
