Patrick Roy (born October 5, 1965) was one of the greatest goaltenders of all time. He won 4 Stanley Cups with two different teams and he also won 3 Vezina Trophies as the best goaltender of NHL. Patrick Roy was one of the pioneers of butterfly style of goaltending, which is the most common style nowadays.

Early career

Patrick Roy played some Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments at late 70’s after that he played at Ste-Foy Gouverneurs (QMAA) 1981-82 and Granby Bisons (QMJHL) 1982-85, before being drafted to NHL. Patrick Roy was drafted 51st overall in the 1984 NHL draft by Montreal Canadiens. Funny fact was that Patrick Roy was fan of Quebec Nordiques – team that was big rival of Montreal Canadiens and he disliked his new team. After draft Roy kept playing for the Granby Bisons, but he been called up by the Canadiens and Roy made his NHL debut 23.2.1985.

Montreal Canadiens

In the season 1985-86 Roy started playing regularly for the Canadiens. He took over the starting goaltender job in January 1986 and lead Canadiens to the unexpected win of the Stanley Cup. Patrick Roy won the Conn Smythe Trophy for the most valuable player in the playoffs and he was also chosen for the NHL All-Rookie Team. Roy together with Brian Hayward won the William M. Jennings Trophy as the goaltender (s) for the team with the fewest goals scored against it 1987, 1988 and 1989.

In 1989 and 1990 Roy won the Vezina Trophy for the best goalie in the NHL. In the season 1992-93 Patrick Roy led Montreal Canadiens again to the Stanley Cup champions and he also won again Conn Smythe Trophy. Mario Tremblay was hired as Montreal’s new head coach after four games into season 1995-96. After some incidents with Tremblay, Roy and Mike Keane were traded to Colorado Avalanche.

Colorado Avalanche

After mid-season trade to Colorado Avalanche, Patrick Roy helped the Avalanche win their first Stanley Cup immediately at season 1995-96 – Roy and the Avalanche sweep Florida Panthers 4-0 at Stanley Cup Finals. 2000-01 was next season, when Roy was at NHL Finals – the Avalanche won game seven against New Jersey and Roy was again Conn Smythe Trophy winner for the most valuable player in the playoffs. Roy’s last game was played against Minnesota Wild on 22.4.2003 – Patrick Roy announced his retirement 28.5.2003.

Other interesting stuff

Patrick Roy has been chosen to the NHL First All-Star Team 4 times (1989, 1990, 1992 and 2002). He has been played most NHL playoff games by a goaltender (247) and he has most NHL playoff wins by a goaltender (151). He was first goaltender to win 500 games and he has most Conn Smythe Trophy wins (3). After his retirement Patrick Roy joined Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL and was named head coach of the team on September 2005. On May 2013, Patrick Roy was named head coach of the Colorado Avalanche. He was head coach of the Avalanche three seasons 2013-16.