Former NY Islanders assistant coach returns to the organization as a pro scout

With the hiring of Peter DeBoer as head coach of the NY Islanders, the organization made subsequent moves regarding the coaching staff. One of those was relieving assistant coach Benoit Desrosiers of his duties.

Despite not being behind the bench with DeBoer at the helm, Desrosiers will be staying with the organization, joining the Islanders' pro scouting department, according to Stefen Rosner of The Hockey News.

Desrosiers to remain with the Islanders

Desrosiers was Patrick Roy's first hire to the staff, joining the Isles in February 2024. Desrosiers and Roy had a long history together, with Desrosiers as an assitant coach for the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL. The two were incredibly success in junior hockey, winning the 2023 Memorial Cup. When Roy moved on from the Remparts, Desrosiers was named head coach of the Gatineau Olympiques before the start of the 2023-24 season. He'd leave that role to join Roy with the Islanders.

Rejoining the Islanders, Desrosiers will now work under Ken Morrow, the Director of Pro Scouting, who, along with his four Stanley Cups and Olympic Gold Medal, happens to be the Islanders' lucky charm when it comes to winning the draft lottery.

Desrosiers, 37, joined the NHL coaching ranks at just 34 years old. He began his career as an assistant coach in the QMJHL in 2012, at just 23. With his best years still ahead of him, Desrosiers is already a bright hockey mind and will likely become an NHL coach again, whether it be with the Islanders or another organization.

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