Darche Announces Changes to Islanders Coaching Staff

New York Islanders General Manager and Executive Vice President Mathieu Darche announced updates to the team’s coaching staff and other topics during his introductory press conference on Thursday.

ROY REMAINS HEAD COACH

Darche confirmed that Patrick Roy will return as the team’s head coach. This will be Roy’s third season with the team. Roy is 55-47-17 in 119 games with the Islanders through his first two seasons.

"Patrick is a winner. He had success when he came here the first year, he had success," Darche said. "I went to meet with him last week to get to know him more and I'm extremely comfortable and excited to be working with him. I know he's passionate and he works hard."

Assistant Coach Benoit Desrosiers will return next season.

ASSISTANT AND BRIDGEPORT COACHING CHANGES

While Roy remains, Assistant Coaches John MacLean and Tommy Abelin will not return to the club in 2025-26. MacLean was hired by the team in 2022, while Albelin was hired in 2024. Replacements will be named later.

"It’s my decision to make changes to the coaching staff and [Patrick Roy and I] will work together to fill the assistant coaches position," Darche said.

Darche also announced changes for the Bridgeport Islanders, confirming the team was moving on from Head Coach Rick Kowalsky and his staff. A new coaching staff has not been named at this time.

Darche, who played 552 games in the AHL, said developing a winning program in Bridgeport is a focus for the organization. Bridgeport went 15-50-7 last season finishing last in the AHL. The Syracuse Crunch, Tampa's AHL affiliate, made the playoffs every year playoffs were held (2021-25) during Darche's tenure with the Tampa.

"I believe in developing in the winning environment," Darche said. "The AHL will definitely be a focus for me because your players have to be ready because, let's face it, every team needs players called up during the year."

Darche also said he plans to check in with the Islanders' ECHL affiliate in Worcester and that he would visit with Tampa's ECHL affiliate in Orlando during his tenure.

DEVELOPMENT CAMP TO BE HELD OVER THE SUMMER

Darche announced that the Islanders will host a development camp for the team’s prospects over the summer. This is the first mid-summer camp since 2019, as the team held their most recent development camps in September, ahead of Training Camp.

"It's important, that's your first touch on the player," Darche said of development camp. "You draft a player and you show him what it is to be a professional. The kids, they all think they're ready when they get to the NHL and go alright, that's what it means to be strong for the NHL. You show them what the standards are in the gym, what the standards are in the NHL, and it's your first touch on them."

The added benefit of a summertime development camp is the ability for NCAA prospects to attend, as their collegiate schedule usually conflicts with a fall camp. That means collegiate prospects like Cole Eiserman, Danny Nelson and Quinn Finley will be able to attend and work directly with Islanders coaches.

DARCHE ON FIRST-OVERALL PICK

While evaluating coaches, staff and players are Darche's first decisions, the new GM has a big decision coming up at the end of June at the NHL Draft.

The Islanders hold the first-overall pick in this year's draft and Darche said he plans to make the pick.

I'm very fortunate to come in with the first overall pick it's not very often you get a job, and first thing you have to do is pick the best player in the draft. I expect us to make the pick next month. I mean, you have to do your due diligence, anybody that calls, you have to listen, but someone would really have to knock my socks off to trade that pick, because we're going to get a special player, but I'm going to do my due diligence, but I expect us to be picking at the end of June