The New York Islanders have sent shockwaves through the NHL community with their latest coaching moves, signaling a bold new direction under head coach Patrick Roy. Just days after parting ways with several assistants, the organization wasted no time in unveiling a fresh coaching lineup—one that caught both fans and insiders completely off guard. The announcement marks a significant shift for Roy, whose bench will now be flanked by unexpected new faces, none of whom had been mentioned in earlier rumors or speculation.

This rapid turnaround not only highlights the Islanders’ commitment to reshaping their coaching staff but also raises intriguing questions about the decision-making process behind these hires. Were they handpicked by Roy himself, or was there a stronger influence from management, particularly Mathieu Darche? As the hockey world digests these surprising developments, all eyes are on how this revamped coaching team will impact the Islanders’ future. With the dust still settling, anticipation is building for what comes next in this evolving story.

Jan 21, 2024; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders head coach Patrick Roy coaches against the Dallas Stars during the first period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Photo credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The New York Islanders have just made a major announcement. It didn’t take long-just a few days after parting ways with several of Patrick Roy’s assistant coaches, the team has officially brought in some new faces.

This is an unexpected twist for Roy and the Islanders, as these hires were not names mentioned in any prior rumors.

Change Behind the Bench for Patrick Roy and the New York Islanders: The Former No. 33 Officially Has New Assistants!

And none of the newly hired assistants are from Quebec, which comes as a real surprise (no, Pascal Vincent was not hired by the Islanders).

“The New York Islanders announced today the hiring of Ray Bennett and Bob Boughner as Assistant Coaches. They will join Head Coach Patrick Roy’s staff, including returning Assistant Coach Benoit Desrosiers and Goaltending Coach Piero Greco.”

– New York Islanders

It raises the question-were these Roy’s choices, or were they brought in by Mathieu Darche?

After a few days of speculation, it’s now official:

Ray Bennett and Bob Boughner are Patrick Roy’s new assistants with the New York Islanders.

Boughner, 54, played 630 games in the NHL, collecting 15 goals, 72 points, and a whopping 1,382 penalty minutes.

He served as an assistant coach with the Detroit Red Wings this season (a role he’s held since 2022), and prior to that, was the head coach of the San Jose Sharks for three seasons. He also coached the Florida Panthers from 2017 to 2019.

More details to come.