It seems an NHL bench is not the next destination in Patrick Roy’s career.
Roy stepped down as the head coach and general manager of the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts on Tuesday, and when asked if any pro teams expressed interest in him for a coaching job, Roy said “absolutely none,” according to TSN.
While Roy, 57, previously announced the 2022-23 season would be his last as head coach of the Remparts, his complete step-back from the organization came as a surprise to some –– especially because he led his squad to a Memorial Cup championship less than 10 days ago.
The co-owner said this season’s success in the CHL tournament, as well as the franchise’s first Gilles-Courteau Trophy, made the decision to leave easier.
“Winning the Memorial Cup made it very easy,” Roy said to the media on Tuesday. “After winning, it became very clear that I did what I had to do and I was very comfortable leaving that way.”
The Remparts blanked the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds 5-0 in the final.
Former NHL-er Simon Gagne was an apprentice under Roy this season and will take over as head coach for the 2023-24 campaign.
During the Rangers’ elongated coaching search, rumors were swirling that Roy –– who was general manager Chris Drury’s teammate in Colorado –– may receive a look from the organization.
However, The Post reported the Rangers did not consider Roy as Gerard Gallant’s successor, and he was never offered an interview.
The Rangers announced Peter Laviolette as the 37th head coach in franchise history on Tuesday, filling the last coaching vacancy in the NHL this offseason.
The Hockey Hall of Famer ruffled feathers with how he ended his time as Avalanche head coach, which is likely a big reason he has yet to get another NHL coaching gig.
Roy took the helm in Colorado, where he played his final eight seasons, in 2013-14, leading the Avalanche to a 52-22-8 record and earning the Jack Adams Award the same year.
The Avs fell in the first round of the playoffs to the Wild in seven games and missed the playoffs the next two years.
Roy left the Avalanche in August 2016 after three seasons, reportedly not seeing eye-to-eye with the front office, and returned to his head coach position with the Remparts in 2018.
For now, Roy said he’s going to enjoy his new free time.
“I feel very at peace in my decision,” Roy said. “We’re going to play golf next weekend in Ireland and then after that I’m going to go to Italy, so I’m excited about taking some time off. Whatever happens, happens.”
It seems unlikely, though, that someone with a resume like Roy’s stays away from the game for long.
The 11-time All-Star goaltender won four Stanley Cups, the Vezina Trophy and Conn-Smythe Trophy three times and the William M. Jennings Trophy on five occasions during his 20-year playing career in the NHL.
But after 13 cumulative seasons as head coach, Roy’s time is done in the QMJHL.
The Remparts posted a 53-12-1-2 record in his final season.