Report: Benoit Desrosiers to join New York Islanders coaching staff

Desrosiers was in the midst of his first season as the head coach of the Gatineau Olympiques of the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League, with his team sitting seventh in the Western Conference with a 15-26-4 record.

The 35-year-old is no stranger to working with Roy. Desrosiers served as an assistant coach of the Quebec Remparts from 2017 to 2023, including five seasons alongside Roy. The duo helped guide the Remparts to the franchise’s third Memorial Cup last season, and first in 17 years.

Desrosiers has also been an assistant coach for the Chicoutimi Saguenéens (2012-13) and Sherbrooke Phoenix (2013-2017).

He comes to the Islanders right after Roy won his debut with the team on Sunday night, where they defeated the Dallas Stars in overtime.

Roy was named the head coach of the Islanders on Saturday, after general manager Lou Lamoriello fired Lane Lambert.

The move was a head scratcher at first, given that the Isles were still battling for a playoff spot. However, given that the team had lost four straight games, and six of their previous seven, it seemed like a decision needed to be made in order to get the team back on track.

The win on Sunday certainly gives a reason for optimism, but the question will be how consistent the team will be under the former Jack Adams Award winner.

The Islanders (20-15-11) are currently fourth in the Metropolitan Division, four points back of the third-place Carolina Hurricanes, and nine behind the New York Rangers for first. They are also two points back of the Tampa Bay Lightning for the last Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Isles are set to host the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night.