Islanders name Patrick Roy head coach

Patrick Roy (Ric Laf, Wikimedia Commons)

The New York Islanders have named Patrick Roy of Quebec City, Quebec as their new head coach according to Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press on Saturday. For Roy, the Islanders are the second National Hockey League team he has coached for. He has also coached the Colorado Avalanche for three seasons from 2013 to 2016.

Roy replaces Lane Lambert of Melfort, Saskatchewan. The Islanders will now be coached by one of the greatest goaltenders in hockey history. Roy had a record of 551 wins, 315 regulation losses and 131 ties/losses in extra time. He had 66 shutouts, a goals against average of 2.54 and a save percentage of .910. Roy was with the Montreal Canadiens from 1984 to 1995, and the Colorado Avalanche from 1995 to 2003. In addition to being a Hockey Hall of Famer, he won four Stanley Cups (two with Montreal in 1986 and 1993 and two with Colorado in 1996 and 2001), three Conn Smythe Trophies (1986, 1993, and 2001), three Vezina Trophies (1989, 1990, and 1992).

The Islanders are sixth in the Metropolitan Division with 49 points. However, they have only won twice in the last 10 games, and general manager Lou Lamoriello clearly believed a change was necessary. The 81-year-old executive has a history of making bold coaching changes during the season. Among the coaches he has hired during the season include Jim Schoenfeld, Larry Robinson, Kevin Constantine, and Jacques Lemaire.

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