Bobby Nadeau just isn’t mad at Patrick and Jonathan Roy

Fifteen years in the past, in March 2008, Saguenay was rocking to the beat of a playoff sequence between Quebec Remparts and Chicoutimi Saguenaes. This sequence has already gone down in historical past, sadly for the fallacious purpose.

IMAGES SPREAD ALL AMERICA: Jonathan Roy crosses the ice to assault Bobby Nadeau, following a gesture from Remparts coach Patrick Roy, Jonathan’s father.

“The primary reminiscence that comes again to me is Richard (editor’s notice: Martel, coach of the Saguenéens) standing on the tape, signaling me to not struggle,” Bobby Nadeau stated in an interview with TVA Nouvelles 15 years later.

The previous Saguenéens goalkeeper, who turns 35 this week, is now a dentist in Kingston, Ontario, the place he focuses on root canal remedy. Throughout a beneficiant 25-minute interview, he spoke concerning the occasion in a impartial tone, with out bitterness.

“I don’t blame Patrick, I don’t blame Jonathan, even when Jonathan didn’t cross the ice with out Patrick’s sign,” stated Bobby Nadeau.

The well-known scene takes place within the second interval of the second recreation of the sequence. The Saguenéens, main 7-to-1, are on their method to tie the sequence 1-to-1. A ten-man battle breaks out on the ice, and Jonathan Roy, who has simply conceded three targets rapidly after coming into the sport, goes to his personal blue line. He’s stored by the referee, however the latter finally ends up letting him intervene within the different fights.

A TVA digital camera close to the Remparts bench captures Patrick Roy, pointing his hand towards the other web, as his son crosses the ice.

“I undoubtedly noticed Jonathan coming,” Nadeau stated. There are a thousand issues on my thoughts, whether or not I struggle or not, however I additionally didn’t should get out of the match. If it’s Kevin Desfusis (editor’s notice: honorary goalkeeper of the Remparts that yr), I’m preventing after all, however not with the backup goalkeeper!

“I believed to myself that at worst, he would brake in entrance of me to seize me and name me right into a struggle.”

“All stars are aligned”

Jonathan’s intention is totally completely different. Masks grabs his opponent, pulls him up, and immediately pummels him with dozens of punches.

“It was quickly too late for me to react,” defined Bobby Nadeau. So I attempted to guard myself as greatest I may.”

Fifteen years later, the sufferer will get a transparent view of the occasion. His efficiency in subsequent matches suffered, however largely because of the sheer quantity of the media. This weekend of Easter 2008, the images are rolling in for a loop on the information channels repeatedly. Political backlashes are quite a few, and Saguenéens supporters have filed complaints in opposition to Jonathan Roy for assaulting Bobby Nadeau within the Saguenay Police Division.

Analyzed Bobby Nadeau “All the celebs had been aligned. Patrick Roy is likely one of the biggest goalkeepers in historical past, and his son shares that. However I discovered myself with about twenty microphones and a digital camera underneath my nostril with out being warned about something. My mother and father received calls at house from journalists from Canada English and even from the USA. I needed to take a name from the league for recommendation on easy methods to handle all this, for me and my household, and even to assist arrange the Saguenéens. A 19-year-old hockey participant just isn’t prepared for all this.”

The following match, on the Coliseum in Quebec, did nothing to assist Nadeau clear his thoughts. The league requires the 2 groups to maintain warm-ups separate, however Richard Martel solely mandates the beginning goaltender and one different participant. Two Saguenéens, who’re feeling very lonely underneath the boos of 15,000 supporters.

“I by no means understood the concept of ​​Richard,” admitted Bobby Nadeau. We may have a dialogue about whether or not you’ll be able to play, or whether or not you have to relaxation. After the occasion with Jonathan Roy, I felt lots of guilt. I felt like I let my workforce down.”

Saguenens was lastly eradicated after six matches. Nadeau performed his last yr as a junior with the Prince Edward Island Rockets, the place he was nicely sufficient to earn an invite to camp with the Vancouver Canucks.

Not in opposition to fights

Jonathan Roy’s offense prompted the Quebec Junior Hockey League to tighten its guidelines. Oddly sufficient, Nadeau just isn’t in favor of merely calling off the struggle.

He thinks “If we take away them, there might be extra villains. We’re speaking about head accidents, however are there simply brawls?” The participant receives lots of checks throughout his profession.

In October 2009, Jonathan Roy pleaded responsible to assault. He was granted an absolute discharge.

“I by no means see him once more, nor do I want to take part in an organized assembly,” stated Bobby Nadeau.

“If I see him once more, I believe we’ll shake palms and discover a method to snigger about what occurred.”

Watch Jan Holley’s report within the video above.