Roy is back in Colorado with the Islanders for the first time since leaving the Avalanche

DENVER – Patrick Roy will practice in Denver for the first time on Monday when the New York Islanders play the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena (9 p.m. ET; MSGSN, ALT, TVAS).

Roy, who won the Stanley Cup twice as an Avalanche goaltender (1996, 2001), coached them from 2014 to 2016 before abruptly resigning on August 11, 2016.

“When I look back, of course, I think I wish I had done things differently,” Roy said, “and I don't think I had enough respect for the position of coach back then.” I think I learned a lot from it and I think it makes me the coach I am today. So do I regret it? No, because it makes me who I am today and I think I'm much better off today than I was back then. I have more respect for the position and more appreciation for being back in the league and working in the league.”

Roy returned to the NHL when he replaced Lane Lambert as coach of the Islanders on January 20, 2024. The Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender, who also won the Stanley Cup twice with the Montreal Canadiens (1986, 1993), led Quebec of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League from 2018 to 2023 and said he wasn't sure , whether he would get another chance in the NHL with the way he left Colorado.

“When I made the decision, I knew it might take some time, and it occurred to me that I might never have a chance,” Roy said. “When I got the call from Lou (Lamoriello, Islanders general manager) and had a lot of good conversations with Lou, I was pretty happy to have the chance to be back in the game. I'm very passionate about our game and feel like I can help our group and that's the attitude. I'm on track to win a Stanley Cup one day, so I want to do that too.

“I’m grateful that Lou gave me this opportunity.”

Roy posted a 130-92-24 record as Avalanche coach and is 20-13-6 with the Islanders, including 0-1-1 this season.

The 59-year-old feels he has changed as a coach after his time away from the NHL.

“Aside from respecting the position, I work a lot harder,” he said. “I think I used to take things for granted.” Sometimes it's nice to put your ego aside and understand that it's a privilege to coach in this league. And every day you have to make an effort. You try to learn new things and I think I’m doing a lot better at that than I was back then.”

Islanders forward Bo Horvat is a player who has experienced each era of Roy's coaching career up close and from afar, and he sees the benefits for the team.

“I played my first game of my career (against the Avalanche at the Vancouver Canucks) and he was the coach,” Horvat said. “I think he did a great job when he was here and he did a great job with us.” I think he obviously has a lot of passion for the game. And I think he loves winning and it kind of rubs off on all of us here that at the end of the day all that matters is getting two points.

“We’re one big family here and we support each other, and he really brought that to light here when he came in.”

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar is inextricably linked to Roy. After Roy's departure, he got his first chance to coach in the NHL with Colorado.

“As for me and 'Patty,' I probably owe him a big hug and a steak dinner,” Bednar said. “Everyone does what is right for them personally, but for me it simply presented a unique opportunity.”

Roy said: “I always have the Avs in my heart. The same goes for the Montreal Canadiens and the Avs. So when they won the Stanley Cup, I didn't say, 'Oh, my goodness.' They won the Stanley Cup.' No, I was happy for her. I texted Joe (Sakic), the president of hockey operations, right after and told them how proud I was that they won the Stanley Cup.”