Lakers hockey coach denies rumours

Could Lake Superior State University be looking for a new head coach for the Lakers hockey team?

It depends on who you decide to believe today as rumours have surfaced that Roque has been offered an assistant coaching position with the Buffalo Sabres.

The Sabres recently named Ron Rolston their head coach and Rolston has a history with Roque that dates back to when the two worked together at Clarkson from 1996 to 1999.

Cap Carey of the Watertown (NY) Daily Times reported the possible hiring this morning via Twitter.

As the news spread, Roque has since denied the news.

Lakers assistant coach Tim Christian tweeted this afternoon “I’m sitting in Jim’s office right now, Jim has not been offered any job by Buffalo Sabres.”

Roque himself denied the rumours as well.

Roque told website Kulka’s Korner, based out of Buffalo, “I don’t know where that’s coming from. Ron and I are good friends, he’s the godfather of my youngest daughter. But he hasn’t offered me a job.”

“I like it here,” Roque added. “My family is here and I don’t plan on going anywhere.”

Roque has spent eight seasons as head coach of the Lakers hockey team, posting a 120-146-45 record.  He replaced Frank Anzalone in June 2005.

Prior to taking over as head coach, Roque served three stints with the program as an assistant, the first coming from 1988-91 and another stint during the 1994-95 season. After spending time at Clarkson, Roque returned to Lake State for his third stint as an assistant from 2001 to 2005 before taking over for Anzalone.

Roque played his college hockey at Lake State from 1983 to 1987.