Varlamov and Roy Reunited

When Semyon Varlamov learned that Patrick Roy was stepping in as Head Coach of the New York Islanders, he was more than excited to be reunited with his idol and former coach. 

“I’m not gonna lie, I had goosebumps,” Varlamov said when asked of his reaction when learning of Roy’s hiring. “He’s a great leader and he’s going to bring a lot of emotions and a lot of passion to the locker room.” 

“I’ve seen it before,” he added.  

Varlamov is familiar with Roy’s persona, energy and passion after playing for him for three years with the Colorado Avalanche from 2013-16. From goaltender to goaltender, it was a luxury to play for and learn from a Hall of Famer who carries a resume of four Stanley Cups and three Vezina Trophies. Varlamov had a hockey legend to look up to behind the bench, both then and now. 

“When I worked with him, I had a lot of support from him mentally and then he would always give us good tips,” Varlamov said. “It always felt like we had two goalie coaches.”

Roy was adamant that the day-to-day instruction will come from Goaltending Coach Piero Greco, but that he could serve as a sounding board.

When Roy took over as Head Coach of the Colorado Avalanche in 2013-14, he made an immediate impact. After the team went 16-25-7 in the shortened 2012-13 season, Roy transformed the Avalanche into a playoff-caliber team and with a 52-22-8 record that led the Central Division.  

The transformation earned Roy the Jack Adams Award for coach of the year in 2013-14, a distinction he gives Varlamov all the credit for with a standout season between the pipes.  

"I was very happy to win the coach of the year but honestly [Varlamov] was the player that made a difference that year, from a team that was second last in NHL to first in the division," Roy said. "It was because our goaltender was so good. I mean we could count on him night after night."

Roy relied on Varlamov heavily throughout his tenure with the Avalanche, utilizing him as their starting goaltender. Varlamov had a standout year when Roy took over, posting a record of 41-14-6, setting a career-best 41 wins and a career high 1867 saves that season. His solid year earned him his first career Vezina nomination, garnering 90 votes but falling short to only Tuukka Rask, who earned the Vezina with 103 votes. 

“Between you and I, [Varlamov] should have won the Vezina that year,” Roy said. 

With a tandem of Varlamov and Ilya Sorokin at his disposal, Roy sees his goaltending as a pillar of strength for the Isles. Varlamov was activated off IR on Monday and is slated to start 
on Thursday in Montreal against the Canadiens. Varlamov is thrilled to be playing for Roy again as the Islanders are looking to pick up momentum to make a push for the playoffs.  

“He's a great motivator and a great leader,” Varlamov said. “He brings a lot of energy in the locker room and every time he steps on the ice to work with us. He’s a great coach and that's what we need right now, we need to get going.”