Patrick Roy on dad Michel experiencing first Isles' father's trip: 'He loves it'

TAMPA, Fla. — For all of Patrick Roy’s time in the NHL dating to 1985, this weekend marks the first time his father, Michel, has gone on a team’s father’s trip. And meeting the team on Long Island marked the first time he had visited his son’s new home since Roy became the Islanders coach on Jan. 20, 2024.

“He loves it,” Roy said. “I think he’s just happy to spend time, hasn’t come to New York since I’ve been here. So seeing where I live, what I do. I think it’s fun.”

Michel Roy did not play professionally. But his son, a Hall of Fame goalie who won four Stanley Cups, described him as “very passionate” about the sport. Like many Canadian fathers, he built a backyard rink when Patrick Roy was growing up and used to shoot against him.

“Goalie equipment was a bit expensive so he wanted to make sure before buying my first equipment that I really wanted to be a goalie,” said Roy, before joking, “I think I proved it to him.”

Roy’s former assistant coach, John MacLean, who now lives in Florida, also joined the Islanders in Tampa to watch his son, Kyle.

Roy, whose buzzword is keeping “joy” for the players, said having family members on the road goes a long way toward that.

It is also a good motivator.

Many of the fathers, siblings or mentors were at Thursday’s 6-3 win over the NHL-best Avalanche at UBS Arena.

“One hundred percent,” captain Anders Lee. “We were joking after the last game that we played like our dads were in the stands. It always means a little bit more. They know our games better than anybody else. So we want to put on a good show for them.”

Isles files

Center Jean-Gabriel Pageau (upper body) missed his seventh game but participated in the morning skate in a regular practice jersey rather than the non-contact jersey he wore the previous two morning skates. General manager Mathieu Darche said Pageau is now day to day and there was a chance he could play Sunday against the Panthers in Sunrise, Florida . . . Right wing Jonathan Drouin (lower body) did not accompany the Islanders to Florida. “I don’t expect him to be out too long,” Darche said. “Hopefully it’s just day to day.” . . . Defenseman Adam Boqvist drew into the lineup for Travis Mitchell after being a healthy scratch the previous four games . . . Goalie David Rittich is expected to start against the Panthers . . . The Islanders had to find another charter flight company for this trip after their previous provider, Private Jet Services, went out of business.

By Andrew Gross

andrew.gross@newsday.comAGrossNewsday

Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.