Roy is back in Quebec Returns to Quebec after five years

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Associated with the Quebec organization for 10 years as Co-owner from 1997 to 2014, Patrick Roy joined the Quebec organization after phenomenal career in the NHL. Taking the General Manager position with the Quebec Remparts in Mai 2003. After two years as G.M. the former Montreal Canadien goaltender who also played in Colorado with the Avalanche, decided to add the head coaching job as his duties after his team only won five games at the beginning of 2005-06 season.

From-left-to-right-Mr.-Jacques-Tanguay-Mr.-Patrick-Roy-Mr.-Martin-Tremblay-and-Mr.-Pierre-Karl-Peladeau-photo-courtesy-of-Serge-Poulin

 

As head coach Patrick Roy stayed behind the Quebec bench for eight years winning 30 games in every years and registered 40 wins or more six times winning 348 games 196 loses for an average of .840 in 544 games.

In 2013 Patrick Roy left Quebec for an NHL job with the Colorado Avalanche becoming the Colorado sixth head coach in the Avalanche history and the 14th in the Franchise history.

Roy stayed behind Colorado bench for three years showing a record 130-92-24 for 577 winning percentage.

With Philippe Boucher leaving the team couple weeks ago as Quebec Remparts General Manager and head coach that left a vacant place for the return of Roy with the organization.

As the President of Quebec Remparts Mr. Jacques began the process of finding person want to do both jobs Patrick Roy was the first to be contacted the Mr. Tanguay. Following the important meeting between Mr. Tanguay, Mr. Martin Tremblay Chef operator of Quebecor sports entertainment and Patrick Roy, the former Colorado head coach asked time to think about the offer.

After several days where Mr. Roy though about the offer the last Montreal Canadiens goaltender came back with a positive answer.

“Today for us it is a big historic day, a great emotional day for me to be able to announce to you the return of Patrick Roy.” Quebec Remparts President Mr. Jacques Tanguay said.

“Patrick was with me since the beginning of the Remparts, we bought the Franchise together, we were directly associated in the hockey for more than 10 years, he did a fantastic job as Remparts Director, was supported by thousands and thousands of Quebec fans throw-out the years to do the Quebec Remparts what we knew today.”

“Seeing Patrick leave for the NHL, it was very difficult, but very acceptable after all he gave us, it was the time to go in an organization who seen him play where he got tremendous success. Today is a bigger day because after five years gone, today he came back with me and all the organization. Whether it was Louis Pinchaud, Nicole Bouchard, Yves St-Mars everyone who was there at that time I wouldn’t want to forget anyone. For us today it was a very big day.” Continue Mr. Tanguay.

“Thank you Patrick, thank you to have taken that decision, thank you also to the media that since the process began you were very professional toward me, we talked several times, you respected the process, and all people because I began a process less longer than anticipated, to all people who sent us their curriculum, they were great candidate, thanks to these guys to have shown an interest to the GM. And head coach position. Everyone will be contacted beginning tomorrow to thank them of their interest. Unfortunately the day I began to discuss with Patrick I have been very honest with everyone, the ball was in Patrick court. If his decision was positive the interview became easier, sure you understand. Mr. Tanguay said.

Photo-courtesy-of-Serge-Poulin

“Thank you, Jacques (Tanguay), Martin (Tremblay) and Pierre-Karl Peladeau I didn’t look for job,” answered New General Manager and head coach of Quebec Remparts Patrick Roy.

“But following to the departure of Philippe Boucher there is a place that open up in Quebec and in same time it created an opportunity as I received the call from Jacques, he said when are you coming in Quebec? I answered it is really good cause I have some project in Quebec so I have to be in Quebec in following weeks. We sit together when I arrived in Quebec, we have had great discussion so I ask to Jacques several time to think about it. Because for me Quebec is a passion it has to be a passion. It has been important to me to see junior games to see where I was because as I wasn’t prepared to come back in hockey I needed time to go in the arena to see junior game see how it worked and I was really impressed.” Continued Patrick Roy.

“Whether it was in Drummondville to Victoriaville to Boisbriand to see how people are proud, b behind their team, arrived one hour before the face off to find a place to see the game be behind young kid from 16 to 20 years old. It didn’t took me too long before seeing the passion coming back. When I came back last week Jacques and me we sit together I told Jacques that I will occupy both jobs as General Manager and head coach. At that moment Jacques asked me can I ask just a question? Why coaching? My answered was really simple, I’m offering myself a gift. I adored my two years playing golf, but at 52 years old it might be too young for just playing golf and staying in Florida all winter. I found it little bit longer,” admitted Roy.

“So I offered me a gift, I lived very strong moment in last 10 years with people here in Quebec so to come back here at home to manage our team, I consider it a privilege. To have the chance to work with kids, help them to go thought what they have on hockey or on human plan become for me a really great opportunity. At the end I listen my heart.” Roy said.

“I’m very happy to be here with you today. Thank you very much.” Ended the one who will become the new GM. And head coach for the Quebec Remparts.

Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com

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