Patrick Roy is hoping to land a job behind a bench in the National Hockey League, but he’s not holding his breath.

In an interview with NHL.com’s Dave Stubbs, Roy says he won’t be waiting on his phone, although we understand he wants another chance in the NHL.

In a very clear statement, he admits that his past speaks against him.

“It’s hard for me to find a job because I left Colorado.”

Bad choose

Roy, who just won the Memorial Cup with the Remparts, admits some of his decisions weren’t the wisest.

“I know I made bad decisions. I know how I left and everything I’ve done can affect the way people see me today. I have to live with it.

“I know I’ve learned from those mistakes. The past is the past, but sometimes you have to live with it. I understand the situation.”

Recall that Roy surprised the Colorado Avalanche when he decided to step down as coach and vice president of hockey operations in August 2016, just weeks before resuming activity.

At the time, he felt his responsibilities did not align with the vision of the organization, led by executive vice president and general manager Joe Sakic. He is now president of the association.

too many hats

Roy today admits that he wore too many hats during his time in Colorado, which prevented him from doing his job well.

“Now I understand better than ever that you can’t be in charge and coach a team at the same time.” When you’re the coach, you coach. If you’re the general manager, that’s what you do.”

This hemorrhage seems to have haunted him ever since, even if he’s obviously a different person today.

The situation is reminiscent of the Canadiens’ famous walk behind the bench on December 2, 1995, when he told President Ronald Corey that he had just played his last game in Montreal. Head coach Mario Tremblay eventually recalled him to the bench after allowing the Detroit Red Wings nine goals.

Photo credit: JMTL

short lived

Ultimately, Patrick Roy realized that things in the world of professional hockey can be fleeting.

“When I first started out in Colorado, I might have taken things for granted,” he told Dave Stubbs. You think the door is always open, but you realize it doesn’t work that way.

“When the opportunity comes, it’s better to work hard. There are many good coaches and good minds in hockey and everyone is interchangeable. We should consider it a privilege when the opportunity arises.”

Roy recounts a discussion he had with Alain Vigneault shortly after leaving Colorado.

“He said to me, ‘You know, Patty, there are only 30 (now 32) coaches in the NHL. He was so right. Job opportunities in the league are very limited and to have one of these jobs is a privilege. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done as a player.”

Credit: DIDIER DEBUSSCHERE/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC

A chance

When Roy, now 57, returned behind the bench for the Remparts in 2018, it wasn’t out of resentment. It was a challenge for the competitor that he is.

“It was fun coming back five years ago to prove to myself that I could help the team win. I know I’ve been very lucky to have such a great group of players this season. When I was still a goalkeeper, I often said it: you are as good as the players in front of you. It’s the same for a coach.

“You can be a good manager, but it’s the players that make you look good and that’s what happened with this team.” [qui a gagné la Coupe Memorial]. They reacted very quickly and focused on winning. I was very lucky.”

Patrick Roy has had great success behind the bench for the Remparts. He has two Memorial Cup triumphs (2006, 2023), one QMJHL championship (2023), and 11 of 13 seasons above the .500 mark.