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Patrick Roy recently spoke to Hockey’s Future about his new passion at the Quebec Pepsi Colisee. Part 1 of this article was published on October 30^th.

Junior hockey has changed since 1984

Patrick Roy played three years for the Granby Bisons in the QMJHL. He had a 4.44 GAA the year of his NHL Draft eligibility with a less than average Bisons team. That seems an astronomic number, but the league’s overall GAA was 5.51 that season.

Roy was a 1984 Montreal Canadians third round selection, 51^st overall. We all know what happened after that.

"The league and the way the game is played have completely changed since I played junior," answered Roy when asked to comment the differences between then and now in the QMJHL.

"The tactical game has significantly changed, the teams forecheck very well now. The players play much better in each of the three zones, not only in the offensive one as they used to in the 1980’s. The coaches also improved, they did not master the different aspects of the game as they do now.

"Off the ice, education is now more important for the players. At best, there were no more than 70 percent studying with the Bisons when I played there whereas 100 percent are studying this year with the Quebec Remparts.

"The traveling is now very hard for the players. There were no teams in the Maritimes back then but the league’s expansion in the East is simply extraordinary. This is quite a success for the league and for the players."

Sharing experience and emotions

The man who took home three Vezina Trophies does not restrain his role around the Remparts’ office or locker room.

"I like very much the contact with the players,” Roy said. “I have the opportunity to share with them both my own experiences and those of other players I have witnessed along my career.

"This is junior level, but this is hockey and there are many similarities with the NHL. Junior hockey is just at a smaller scale.

"I have a great satisfaction helping the kids to eventually become professional players. I like to work on the psychological side and contribute to help them to become men."

There are anecdotes around the Remparts about Roy’s aptitude in working with the psychology of the players. For example, after a poor game played last October, he was so upset he closed the players dressing room and confined them aside in a small room equipped with only two showers or so.

The message given to the players was that they need to demonstrate they deserve to use the famous comfortable dressing room they have been provided.

The players were asked to judge by themselves when they would deserve to re-enter the main dressing room. They had to ask the coach at the appropriated moment. They came back strong on the ice in the following games, but have not yet asked the question to the coach when we met Roy.

Roy remains the same. He was known as a player for emitting and propagating emotions around him. He keeps this going in his new role.

Roy touches many facets

Patrick Roy shares his experience with the players. He communicates his passion for the game, teaches and gives technical advice. And American born players Andrew Andricopoulos and Joey Ryan even live in his house.

"Patrick is very generous with the kids. They appreciate him a lot,” the director of services Nicole Bouchard told Hockey’s Future. “They are perfectly aware of the chance they have to play here and be in touch with Patrick.

"At first, they were a little bit upset, but they are used to his presence now. I think that many players across the league envy the Remparts.

"Patrick created a new era here, he provided a strong leadership. His contribution is simply indescribable," added Bouchard.

"His passion for the game is exceptional," said chief scout Denys Faucher. “Roy’s dedication to his team and to the players is remarkable. In his new role, he wants to win as much as he wanted as a player."

Roy’s remarkable stature has also an impact at the league level. Commissioner Gilles Courteau commented, "His presence is extraordinary for the QMJHL. He played junior here, had great success in the NHL and is sharing his experience and his success with us.

"He has not only gotten involved in the ownership, but also in the hockey operations which is great. His presence in the league generates a lot of positive elements. Mr. Roy obviously didn’t do it for the money, but for his passion for this sport."

Commissioner Courteau is proud that many retired NHL players are involved in the QMJHL. Former OHA’s MVP Bobby Smith is both the Halifax Mooseheads majority owner and president. Cam Russel (Gatineau Olympics) is a consultant for the Mooseheads. Guy Carbonneau is the president of his former junior team, the Chicoutimi Sags. Pat Lafontaine (Verdun Juniors) is now co-owner of the PEI Rockets.

Roy’s comments on some important topics

On the place of Quebec-born players in the league (down to 75 percent):

"The territory of the league is now wider than it was in the past, it is the same thing in the NHL. Both levels want to group together as much good hockey players as possible.

"This has a positive impact in Quebec as it creates competition and forces the Quebec Hockey Federation to innovate. This competition requires the Quebec Federation to find new ways to get the kids interested in hockey and then to improve the development program of the young players."

On the absence of a junior team in Montreal (40 percent of the province’s population):

"Sure it would be good for the league, being easier for the league’s authorities to get commercial revenues from large companies. On the other side, we can’t do anything if the fans do not support a team in Montreal area. That is the first condition, we can’t always spend energy trying to build and undo a concession. There must be fans interested to go to the games."

On the agreement between the CHL and the NHL (lost revenue to CHL teams):

"It is part of the game,” answered Roy spontaneously. “We also lost Simon Gagne few years ago. How many eligible midget players do we grab in the midget AAA leagues? You know, we have to remember that our league’s first goal is to develop players who want to reach the NHL.

"Both (Pierre-Marc) Bouchard’s and Gagne’s goal was to play in the NHL. That is why they earlier had chosen to play in the QMJHL. Unfortunately for their junior team and fortunately for them, they succeeded in reaching their goal sooner than average.

"I know that there are a lot of people who don’t see it the way I do, but there is nothing we can do. If we want to change the rules, that could mean we could not get the 16-year-olds.

"It’s true that the European teams receive a lot of money from the NHL for their young players, but those can be sent in the AHL at 18 years old which is not the case in the CHL."

Conclusion

These days, nothing is easy in the world of hockey. The NHL lockout is on and there are a lot of other problems to fix in order to improve the game and bring back the passion. The involvement of Roy and those like him at the junior and minor hockey levels is a crucial contribution to the hockey.

Roy had to conclude the chat with Hockey’s Future in his office, in a hurry to reach an arena in town. He is the assistant coach of the Beaubourg Bantam AA team for which his son Frederick plays. When he has some time left, he also skates with his older son Jonathan and his Sainte-Foy Midget AAA team.

Some day, Roy will be remembered not only for his goaltending records, but also his huge contribution to junior hockey.

Simon Richard is the author of La Serie du siecle, Septembre 1972, a book about the Summit Series published in 2002.
Copyright 2004 Hockey’s Future. Do not duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.