Two prominent Quebecers have rushed to defend former NHL goalie Patrick Roy after he was accused of assault following a shoving match at a junior league hockey game in the Saguenay.

Roy, who owns and coaches the Quebec Remparts, was accused of pushing a rival coach in a  hockey arena parking lot after losing a junior league game on Friday night.

Quebec Remparts owner and coach Patrick Roy apparently was appalled at the media frenzy that followed his shoving match at a junior league hockey game in the Saguenay.
(Andrew Vaughn/Canadian Press)

On Monday, Quebec City mayor Andrée Boucher said Roy has the right to be considered innocent until proven otherwise, and should be given a chance to recount his version of events.

She doubts Roy would have been scrutinized as much had he not been a celebrity.

"When we have all those qualities, we are [criticized] every day, and it is not easy. Even if it's just because we are young, rich, and famous," Bouchard said.

Police haven't yet decided whether assault charges will be laid, but Roy said Sunday that he was appalled at the media frenzy that followed, and said the incident is forcing him to re-evaluate his future with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. 

During a radio interview on CJMF in Quebec City, the former NHLer's business partner, Jacques Tanguay, said if Roy quit the team, he'd follow suit. They both enjoy working with the Quebec Remparts, but Roy was treated poorly after the altercation and that has upset both of them, Tanguay said.

Roy coached the Quebec Remparts to the Memorial Cup victory in 2006.