New York Islanders’ Road Series
As they embark on a challenging seven-game road series, the New York Islanders are riding high with three consecutive victories. Their next matchup is against the Utah Mammoth, marking the first encounter since Utah rebranded.
André Tourigny and His History
André Tourigny, the head coach of the Mammoth, has a long history with the franchise, originally coming to prominence as the head coach of the Arizona Coyotes since the 2021-22 season.
Tourigny recently lightened the mood by addressing his historical rivalry with Islanders’ head coach Patrick Roy. In a playful exchange, he was asked how much he idolized Roy during his playing days, to which he humorously retorted,
“Could not hate him more,”
reflecting on his roots as a fan of the Quebec Nordiques—Roy’s former archrival team from his days with the Montreal Canadiens.
Shared History and Rivalry
His connection to Roy is deepened by their shared history; Tourigny grew up in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, a passionate follower of the Nordiques during Roy’s legendary tenure. Their paths crossed professionally in the QMJHL in the 2000s, where they competed as rivals before uniting as coaches on the Colorado Avalanche for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons.
Despite his move to coach the Ottawa 67’s before returning to the NHL, Tourigny has maintained a strong respect for Roy. Describing him as a fierce competitor and a terrific coach, Tourigny stated,
“Patty and I connect on a regular basis and we always kept a good relationship.”
Head-to-Head Matchups
In their head-to-head matchups in the NHL, Roy and Tourigny have met only twice thus far, with their most recent clash being a tightly contested game that saw the Islanders initially fall 5-4 in overtime during the 2024-25 season opener on October 10. They later secured a victory against Utah, winning 2-1 on January 11, 2025, marking a successful visit to Utah.
Fans are eagerly anticipating how this high-stakes matchup will unfold, further heightening the significance of these two coaches’ encounters.
