The NY Islanders have relieved Benoit Desrosiers of his assistant coaching duties

When the NY Islanders relieved Patrick Roy of his duties as head coach of the NY Islanders, it was expected that more moves behind the bench were imminent. Tonight, another domino has fallen, as the organization has let go of Assistant Coach Benoit Desrosiers.

Islanders fire Benoit Desrosiers

Shortly after Roy was hired, taking over the coaching reins from Lane Lambert, Desrosiers was Roy's first addition to the coaching staff. Desrosiers has been a protege of Roy since he was 28, serving as an assistant coach for Roy with the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL from 2013-17. Before the 2023-24 season, Desrosiers was named head coach of the Gatineau Olympiques, a position he vacated upon his hiring by the Islanders.

One of Desrosier's responsibilities with the Islanders was his expertise in the face-off dot. This past season, the Islanders finished fifth in the NHL in FO%, winning 52.6% of draws. Bo Horvat, JG Pageau, and Casey Cizikas, all of whom spent the majority of the season playing center, thrived under Desrosiers, each going at least 54.7% in the dot.

There is still no news regarding the futures of Ray Bennett and Bob Boughner and their roles as assistant coaches. Peter DeBoer and Bob Boughner have a history together, as Boughner served as an assistant under DeBoer with the San Jose Sharks, taking over head coaching duties on an interim basis after DeBoer's firing.

With the addition of a new head coach typically comes change. Desrosiers won't be back behind the bench with the Islanders next season, and we'll see if there are more moves to come.

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