Patrick Roy

Patrick Roy was one of the best goaltenders of the NHL’s modern era. He perfected the butterfly style of goaltending and was incredibly successful.

Patrick Roy was born October 5, 1965 in Sainte-Foy, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens selected him with the 51st overall pick in the 1984 NHL Draft, but it was a roller coaster experience for the young net-minder in Montreal.

First and foremost, Roy hated the idea of playing for the Canadiens given that he grew up a diehard Quebec Nordiques fan. Then, even after winning a Stanley Cup in 1986, Roy had a falling out with the team that drafted him.

On December 2, 1995, Roy was in net against the Detroit Red Wings when the Wings crushed Montreal 12-1 in the Canadiens worst home defeat in franchise history. Roy gave up nine goals and was jeered by the home fans when he would make easy saves.

After being pulled in the middle of the second period, Roy angrily told team president Ronald Corey that it was his last game in Montreal. Roy was upset that Montreal head coach Mario Tremblay kept him in net in order to humiliate him. Three days later, Roy was traded along with Mike Keane to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Jocelyn Thibault, Martin Rucinsky and Andrei Kovalenko.

Patrick Roy immediately made an impact in Colorado, helping the Aves win their first Stanley Cup the same year they acquired him from Montreal. Roy went on to win four Stanley Cups over the course of his career, along with three Conn Smythe Trophies and five Jennings Trophies, which is given to the net-minder who allowed the fewest amount of goals.

Roy also holds numerous records, including most NHL games played by a goaltender (1029), most NHL regular season wins (551) and most NHL playoff games played by a goaltender (247), which is the second most playoff games of all players. He also holds the record for most NHL playoff wins by a goaltender with 151, most Conn Smythe Trophy wins with three, and most minutes played in the goaltender position in the NHL (75,444).

Despite his brash attitude, flashy style and overall cockiness, Patrick Roy was simply one of the best goaltenders ever to play the game. He was an 11-time All-Star, a four time NHL First Team All-Star and won the Trico Goaltending Award in 1989 and 1990.

Patrick Roy is a hockey goaltending legend.