In Final Season, Patrick Roy Leads Remparts to QMJHL Championship; NHL Next?

Patrick Roy left the Colorado Avalanche in perhaps the worst possible way back in 2016, quitting in the middle of August, forcing the team to scramble to replace him.

In retrospect, it was probably the best thing that could have ever happened to the Avalanche. While Roy is a legend in net, he was not the best coach, and he wanted to be in control of the roster as well. His roster decisions were questionable at best, so it was time to move on. Obviously, Colorado recovered.

Roy, meanwhile, returned to coaching his Quebec Remparts in 2018. After a rough first few years back, they were very good last year. This season, they were even better, finishing first in the QMJHL in wins and points.

On Sunday, all of that paid off. They came from behind, scoring two late goals to defeat the Halifax Mooseheads by a score of 5-4. With the win, they took home the QMJHL championship in six games.

ON ATTENDAIT CE MOMENT DEPUIS 1976! ☝️#DeQuébecPourQuébec pic.twitter.com/50U7DkU0ki

— XYZ – Remparts de Québec (@quebec_remparts) May 21, 2023

NOUS SOMMES CHAMPIONS! 🏆#DeQuébecPourQuébec pic.twitter.com/jAQ1cmaInY

— XYZ – Remparts de Québec (@quebec_remparts) May 21, 2023

Before the season started, Patrick Roy had decided this was his last season coaching the Remparts. He brought former NHL winger Simon Gagne into the organization last summer to mentor him, with Gagne taking over behind the bench for the 2023-24 season. According to TSN, Roy said he will listen if some teams come calling.

“If I receive calls, I will listen,” he replied. “You know like me, rumours are rumours…I’d rather focus on what I can control, and what I can control is how we prepare our team for Friday night against Halifax.”

That may have already started. The New York Rangers reportedly may be interested, and there’s a few other openings around the league where he may get an interview.

**Late Night 🌙 Nugget**
As the @NHL Coaching Carousel 🎠 is starting to spin ; Patrick Roy is generating interest from several clubs as his @quebec_remparts are 1 W away from @QMJHL Championship & making @CHLHockey Memorial Cup.@espn @NHLNetwork @DKSportsbook #HockeyTwitter

— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) May 18, 2023

If he is interested in returning to the NHL, he’s going out on top in the QMJHL. Patrick Roy and his Remparts will represent the QMJHL in the Memorial Cup, which starts next week in Kamploops. Perhaps soon after, he’ll be back with an NHL team.

It won’t be the Avalanche, but it will be a lot more fun to watch from an outsiders perspective, that’s for sure.