Patrick Roy

Early Life and Junior Career

Patrick Roy was born on October 5, 1965, in Quebec City, the eldest of three children to Michel Roy and Barbara Miller-Roy. He grew up in the suburb of Cap-Rouge, where he was introduced to sports through his parents, with his father involved in tennis and hockey and his mother a high-performance synchronized swimmer. Roy himself was a skilled breaststroke swimmer as a child but found the water too cold, and he preferred team sports to individual competition. His passion for hockey was heavily influenced by his grandmother, Anna Miller, a devoted Montreal Canadiens fan who listened to games on the radio with him, though Roy himself grew up cheering for the rival Quebec Nordiques and idolizing goaltenders Daniel Bouchard and Rogie Vachon. Roy began playing organized hockey as a forward at age seven on an outdoor rink before switching to goaltender a year later, receiving his first pair of goalie pads as a Christmas gift in 1973. He played in the prestigious Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament in 1977 and 1978 with a minor hockey team from Quebec City, advancing to the third round in his first appearance. After playing bantam and midget hockey for teams in Sainte-Foy, where he posted a 27-3-10 record with the midget AAA Gouverneurs in 1981-82, Roy graduated to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Granby Bisons. Over three seasons with the struggling Bisons from 1982 to 1985, his record was 58 wins, 86 losses, and 3 ties, yet his potential was recognized by the Montreal Canadiens, who selected him in the third round, 51st overall, in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft.

NHL Career with the Montreal Canadiens

Patrick Roy made his NHL debut on February 23, 1985, entering a game for the Montreal Canadiens in the third period against the Winnipeg Jets and earning the win without allowing a goal. After a stint in the American Hockey League where he backstopped the Sherbrooke Canadiens to a Calder Cup championship, he became Montreal's regular starter in the 1985-86 season. That spring, the 20-year-old Roy emerged as a playoff star, leading an underdog Canadiens team to a Stanley Cup championship and winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the youngest recipient in history. Nicknamed "Saint Patrick," Roy established himself as the league's premier goaltender, winning the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's best goalie in 1989, 1990, and 1992. He also shared the William M. Jennings Trophy for fewest goals allowed with teammate Brian Hayward in 1987, 1988, 1989, and won it again in 1992. The Canadiens were a consistent contender, winning their division multiple times and reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 1989, but it was the 1993 playoffs that cemented his reputation. After losing the first two games of a first-round series against the Quebec Nordiques amid criticism, Roy led a remarkable comeback, winning ten consecutive overtime games en route to the Stanley Cup, a run that included a Finals victory over the Los Angeles Kings. He was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy for a second time, becoming the first player to win the award twice with the same team. Tensions with new head coach Mario Tremblay, however, culminated in a dramatic incident on December 2, 1995, after Roy allowed nine goals in an 11-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. An enraged Roy told team president Ronald Corey it was his last game in Montreal, leading to a suspension and, four days later, a trade to the Colorado Avalanche along with captain Mike Keane in exchange for Jocelyn Thibault, Martin Ručinský, and Andrei Kovalenko, a deal later considered one of the most lopsided in NHL history.

Championship Success with the Colorado Avalanche

Roy's arrival in Colorado immediately transformed the franchise, as he backstopped the Avalanche to the Stanley Cup in his first season with the team in 1996, defeating the Presidents' Trophy-winning Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference finals. This victory ignited one of the NHL's fiercest modern rivalries, with Roy at its centre, famously fighting Red Wings goaltenders Mike Vernon in 1997 and Chris Osgood in 1998. Roy and the Avalanche met Detroit in the playoffs five times between 1996 and 2002, winning three of those series. His individual excellence continued, as he was a Vezina Trophy finalist multiple times with Colorado. The pinnacle of his tenure came in the 2000-01 season when the Avalanche won the Presidents' Trophy and advanced to the Stanley Cup Final against the New Jersey Devils and Martin Brodeur. After a back-and-forth series, Roy recorded a shutout in Game 6 to force a decisive Game 7, which Colorado won 3-1 to secure its second championship. Roy was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner for a third time, the only player in NHL history to achieve that feat, and did so for a second different team. He played his final NHL game on April 22, 2003, in a Game 7 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the playoffs, and announced his retirement on May 28, 2003.

Playing Style, Records, and Legacy

Patrick Roy is widely credited with revolutionizing the goaltending position by perfecting and popularizing the butterfly style, a technique that involves dropping to the knees to cover the lower portion of the net with the pads, which has since become the dominant method for goaltenders worldwide. His competitive fire and mental toughness were central to his game, particularly in high-pressure playoff situations. Roy retired holding numerous NHL records and remains among the league's all-time leaders in several statistical categories. In 2004, a panel of 41 writers and a fan poll selected him as the greatest goaltender in NHL history. His career achievements are encapsulated by several unique distinctions that highlight his longevity and success across eras and franchises.

• Only player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy three times (1986, 1993, 2001).
• Only player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy in three different decades (1980s, 1990s, 2000s).
• Only player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy for two different teams (Montreal, Colorado).
• Won four Stanley Cup championships (two with Montreal, two with Colorado).
• Won three Vezina Trophies as the league's top goaltender (1989, 1990, 1992).
• Won five William M. Jennings Trophies for fewest goals allowed (1987, 1988, 1989, 1992, 2002).
• Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2006.
• Had his number 33 retired by both the Montreal Canadiens and the Colorado Avalanche.

Career Statistics

Patrick Roy's statistical record demonstrates his durability and excellence across 19 NHL seasons. In the playoffs, where he built much of his reputation, he played in 247 games, recording 151 wins, 94 losses, and 23 shutouts, with a 2.30 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage. His playoff win total stood as the NHL record for many years. The following table outlines his key career totals.

International Play

Patrick Roy represented Canada on the international stage at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, the first Games to feature active NHL players. He was named the starting goaltender for a heavily favoured Canadian squad that also included Martin Brodeur and Curtis Joseph. Roy started all six of Canada's games, posting strong numbers with a 1.46 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage. The tournament, however, ended in disappointment. Canada was eliminated in the semifinal by the Czech Republic in a shootout after a 1-1 tie through regulation and overtime. Roy was beaten by Robert Reichel on the Czechs' first shootout attempt, while Dominik Hašek stopped all five Canadian shooters. The team then lost the bronze medal game 3-2 to Finland, denying Roy an Olympic medal. He declined the opportunity to play for Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics prior to team selection.

Coaching and Executive Career

Following his retirement as a player, Patrick Roy immediately moved into coaching and management with the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He served as the team's vice-president of hockey operations, owner, general manager, and was named head coach on September 29, 2005. In his first season behind the bench, he led the Remparts to a Memorial Cup championship in 2006, becoming the seventh rookie head coach to win the CHL's top prize. His tenure with the Remparts included several notable events and roles.

• Named head coach of the Quebec Remparts on September 29, 2005.
• Won the Memorial Cup championship in 2006.
• Served as head coach of the New York Islanders from January 2024 until April 2026.

Questions about Patrick Roy

How many Stanley Cups did Patrick Roy win?

Patrick Roy won the Stanley Cup four times during his NHL career. He won his first two championships with the Montreal Canadiens in 1986 and 1993. After his trade to the Colorado Avalanche, he won two more titles with that franchise in 1996 and 2001. His success in the playoffs is a central part of his legacy, as he is the only player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP three times.

Why is Patrick Roy considered one of the greatest goalies of all time?

Patrick Roy is considered one of the greatest goalies due to his playoff success, revolutionary technique, and longevity. He holds the record for most Conn Smythe Trophy wins with three, demonstrating his value as a clutch performer. He is widely credited with popularizing the butterfly style of goaltending, which changed how the position is played. In 2004 he was selected by a panel of experts and fans as the greatest goaltender in NHL history, and his number 33 is retired by two franchises.

What happened in Patrick Roy's last game with the Montreal Canadiens?

Patrick Roy's final game with the Montreal Canadiens occurred on December 2, 1995, in an infamous 11-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Roy was left in net by coach Mario Tremblay and allowed nine goals on 26 shots. After being pulled in the second period, an enraged Roy stormed past Tremblay and told team president Ronald Corey, "It's my last game in Montreal. He was suspended the next day and traded four days later to the Colorado Avalanche in a multi-player deal.

What teams did Patrick Roy coach after his playing career?

After retiring from playing, Patrick Roy coached three teams. He first became the head coach, owner, and general manager of the Quebec Remparts in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League starting in 2005. He then served as head coach for the Colorado Avalanche of the NHL. His most recent coaching position was as head coach of the New York Islanders, a role he held from January 2024 until April 2026.

What is Patrick Roy's famous quote to Jeremy Roenick?

Patrick Roy's famous quote to Jeremy Roenick was, "I can't really hear what Jeremy says, because I've got my two Stanley Cup rings plugging my ears. This retort occurred during the 1996 Western Conference semifinals after a game between Roy's Colorado Avalanche and Roenick's Chicago Blackhawks. The exchange followed a dispute over a non-called penalty shot in overtime and Roenick's earlier taunt. At the time of the quote, Roy had indeed won two Stanley Cup championships with the Montreal Canadiens.

Is Patrick Roy in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Yes, Patrick Roy is in the Hockey Hall of Fame. He was inducted on November 13, 2006. This honour recognizes his legendary playing career as a goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche. His achievements include winning four Stanley Cups, three Conn Smythe Trophies as playoff MVP, and multiple Vezina Trophies. He is widely credited with popularizing the butterfly style of goaltending.

Sources and further reading

• Patrick Roy (Wikipedia)
• Patrick Roy Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Title (hockey-reference.com)
• Patrick Roy (thecanadianencyclopedia.ca)
• NHL Tonight: Patrick Roy story (nhl.com)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-24.