Patrick Roy Denies Encouraging Son To Fight
Posted March 24, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Jonathan Roy has yet to prove that he inherited his famous father’s remarkable goaltending skills, but on Saturday he showed that like his dad, he can handle his dukes.
Roy, who is the goalie for the Quebec Remparts, could face disciplinary action for his role in a wild brawl against the Chicoutimi Saqueneens during Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoff action on the weekend.
His father, Patrick Roy, owns and coaches the team, and some are accusing him of encouraging Jonathan to fight the opposing goalie during the Saqueneens 10-1 routing of the Remparts.
At the end of the second period, with the score 7-1, several players dropped the gloves to fight and Roy edged out towards center ice to challenge Chicoutimi goalie Bobby Nadeau. Nadeau appeared disinterested and the referees held Roy back. But when they let him go to break up other altercations, Roy raced down the ice and proceeded to beat Nadeau to a pulp. When that fight was mercifully broken up, he proceeded to exchange punches with defenceman Sebastien Rioux. Upon leaving the ice, Roy offered the crowd the middle finger.
Roy has since apologized for giving the finger, saying he was driven by adrenaline and frustration. But he has not apologized for the attack.
“We will take the time to look at all the elements of this incident, all the reports from the two supervisors who were there, the officials and the images that are available,” QMJHL commissioner Gilles Courteau said Sunday.
Suspensions are expected to be handed out on Tuesday.
In the meantime, debate continues to rage over whether Patrick Roy signaled his son to join the fray. Video footage appears to show him motioning to the far end of the ice, but it’s difficult to know what exactly he was trying to communicate.
“I can’t control the reactions of my players in the heat of action,” Roy said. “That’s part of the game.”
Roy also denied that he made any gesture to his son.
“Patrick looked at me and told me to calm down,” Jonathan Roy said. “I said to myself, `He doesn’t want me to go’, but when the line judge released me, I said to myself …`I’m going.”‘
Like father like son? Here’s some clips of Patrick Roy exchanging punches during his illustrious N.H.L. career.
