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Islanders Dismiss Assistant Benoit Desrosiers as DeBoer Starts Staff Overhaul

The move signals Pete DeBoer's push to reshape the bench.

Mar 21, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; New York Islanders head coach Patrick Roy tracks the play from the bench against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
New York Islanders assistant coach Benoit Desrosiers talks to defensemen Scott Mayfield (24), Ryan Pulock (6), Isaiah George (36), and Matthew Schaefer (48) against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Overview

  • The Islanders confirmed assistant coach Benoit Desrosiers was relieved of his duties, marking Pete DeBoer’s first personnel move since taking over as head coach.
  • Desrosiers joined with Patrick Roy in early 2024 and led faceoff instruction, with the team hitting 54.9% in 2024–25 and 52.65% this season after his arrival.
  • DeBoer now has room to choose his staff, with New York Post reporting that power-play coach Ray Bennett could be evaluated after a 31st-place ranking.
  • Players viewed Desrosiers well for his specialized work on draws, while DeBoer has praised defensive assistant Bob Boughner and goalie coach Sergei Naumovs as likely staying put.
  • In related Eastern Conference news, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the Senators expect to finalize a LeBreton Flats land purchase for a future arena later this year and he returned Ottawa’s first-round pick for the upcoming draft.