Stu Cowan: Patrick Roy tries to keep away from highlight in Bell Centre return

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Patrick Roy has all the time loved the highlight.

He has additionally thrived in it. The larger the sport and the brighter the highlight, the higher he would play throughout his Corridor of Fame profession.

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Roy confirmed that as a 20-year-old rookie in 1986, posting a 15-5 file, together with a 1.93 goals-against common and a .923 save share in 20 postseason video games whereas serving to the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup and incomes the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. He confirmed it once more in 1993 when he had a 16-4 file, a 2.13 GAA and a .929 save share within the playoffs because the Canadiens received the Stanley Cup once more and he earned one other Conn Smythe Trophy.

After his notorious blow-up with former Canadiens coach Mario Tremblay that led to him being traded to the Colorado Avalanche, Roy would win two extra Stanley Cups, in 1996 and 2001, together with one other Conn Smythe Trophy.

Roy was again within the highlight Thursday when he returned to the Bell Centre to face the Canadiens as head coach of the New York Islanders after being employed final Saturday. However this time, he was doing his finest to keep away from that highlight.

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When requested what returning to Montreal meant to him throughout a pregame information convention, Roy stated: “You may not like my reply, however immediately it’s not about me. It’s about our staff. It’s a four-point recreation and that is the place the main focus needs to be and that’s what I stated to the fellows. I stated: ‘Tonight we’re coming right here, no matter’s going to occur earlier than the sport, I actually wish to ensure that we’re prepared when the puck drops.’ It’s playoff hockey for us.”

The Islanders got here into the sport with a 20-16-11 file and have been two factors out of a wild-card playoff spot after going 1-1 of their first two video games with Roy behind the bench.

When requested about his feelings heading into the sport, Roy joked that he all the time tries to manage them however that it hasn’t all the time labored, noting he’s an intense one that likes to win.

These are two the explanation why Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello determined to rent Roy to interchange Lane Lambert.

“I’m very grateful for this chance and I don’t suppose I may hit a greater individual than Mr. Lamoriello,” Roy stated. “I actually love his considering. I actually love his ardour.”

Former Canadien Larry Robinson instructed me this week that Lamoriello was like a second father to him throughout their eight years along with the New Jersey Devils when Robinson was a coach and Lamoriello the GM. They received a Stanley Cup collectively in 2000.

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Throughout Thursday’s information convention, I requested Roy if he additionally noticed Lamoriello like a father determine — somebody who would possibly assist him preserve his feelings below management.

“It’s very straightforward to be connected to him,” Roy stated. “It’s very straightforward to be like this with Lou as a result of he’s such a real individual. I believe he simply desires me to have the ability to coach my recreation and I recognize that a lot.”

Roy stated he’s additionally fortunate that former Canadien Jacques Lemaire is a particular project coach with the Islanders.

“Lou and Jacques are very shut individuals and I’m fortunate to have mentors like that,” Roy stated. “I believe I’m going to develop as a coach. I believe I’m going to develop as a hockey individual. I’m very blessed to be in that place. Very blessed. And I’m so excited to proceed what they need, which is to assist this staff to be within the playoffs, but additionally excite our followers.”

There was a whole lot of pleasure on the Bell Centre Thursday, similar to there was on March 18, 2014, when Roy returned for the primary time as head coach of the Avalanche. The Canadiens received that recreation 6-3.

When requested at Thursday’s information convention how he dealt together with his feelings throughout that recreation, Roy stated: “It’s been too lengthy … I don’t bear in mind. However I understand how I really feel immediately and immediately it’s concerning the Islanders.”

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Roy wished every part Thursday to be ALL concerning the Islanders, not desirous to be a distraction.

“It’s about our staff,” he stated. “I really like these guys. Like I stated to them, I used to be very completely happy the primary time I met them and the way receptive they’ve been. In order that they deserve my respect. We’ve been speaking about a whole lot of issues. We’re speaking about our construction, we’re speaking about our mindset. And these guys are shopping for into what I’m attempting, so my respect is essential to them.”

Roy was prepared to reply one query about his enjoying days with the Canadiens on what he realized as a participant that has helped him as a coach.

“Nicely, I’d say this: I used to be very fortunate to have nice coaches and one in every of them was Jacques Demers and the way optimistic he was,” Roy stated. “It’s one thing that I actually convey with me.”

Roy was additionally requested if he had any message for Montreal followers.

“I’m sorry … I simply wish to give attention to our recreation,” he stated. “I believe all people in Montreal is aware of how a lot I really like them and the way a lot respect I’ve for this group. However, on the similar time, we’re right here to win a hockey recreation.”

It doesn’t matter what he says, Patrick Roy won’t ever be capable to keep away from the highlight in Montreal.

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