Patrick Roy -- Going out on his own terms.
He could have stayed in hockey for a few more years if he wanted. He could have earned more money to keep his family set for life. He could have set more records and won more Stanley Cups. But Patrick Roy of the Colorado Avalanche didn't want to do that. He's done it all and now it's time to say goodbye.
In 1986, he was an 18-year-old hotshot goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens that Boston Bruins' fans like me loved to hate.
In 1995, he was the slightly older goalie for the Colorado Avalanche that Detroit Red Wings' fans wished would magically disappear.
But it didn't happen that way -- at least not for a couple of years.
After 18 years in the NHL, Patrick Roy, one of the best goaltenders in the league today, is hanging up the goaltenders pads for good.
In the 2003-2004 regular season, the man affectionately called, "St. Patrick" won't be in the nets for the 'Avs.
While many American youngsters want to be like Michael Jordan, Canadian youngsters, especially from the French speaking province of Quebec, wanted to be like Roy.
Goaltenders like Amaheim's J.S. Giguere or Montreal's Jose Theodore, all wanted to be goaltenders after watching one of many games that Roy played for the hometown Montreal Canadiens.
While there may never be another Patrick Roy in hockey, the closest thing we have now is Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils, who also watched Roy play.
But Brodeur could get up close and personal with Roy as Martin's father was the official photographer of the Canadiens.
Roy is quitting hockey because, basically, he has done it all in the sport.
He has won four Stanley Cups with Montreal and with Colorado. He has been named MVP of the Stanley Cup playoffs three times, not to mention the records he's broken in the playoffs and regular hockey season.
He will always be known for his combativeness and willingness to mix up with members of the other team.
How many goaltenders do you know would get out their crease to join a fight?
Roy has many times, especially during those heated playoff games against Detroit.
You might call him an "innovator" of sorts.
He was one of the first players to study the videos of his games, and he was one of the first goaltenders to use a goaltending coach. Now it seems as though every hockey team has one.
Like many hockey players, Roy wouldn't speak to reporters the day of a game. He treated reporters the same way, no matter if they were male or female, veteran reporters or freelance reporters like me.
If Roy told you, "no more questions, the interview is over," you'd better not ask him anything else, even if you did have just one more question.
Roy won't be out of hockey completely.
He's part owner of the Quebec Remparts junior hockey club in Quebec City.
Yes, he also wants to spend more time with the family.
Just when hockey fans thought they could rest easily because they won't have to see Roy again in net, guess what?
In the future, you might be seeing another hot shot young goaltender named Roy in net - Patrick's 14-year-old son Frederick.
In 1995, he was the slightly older goalie for the Colorado Avalanche that Detroit Red Wings' fans wished would magically disappear.
But it didn't happen that way -- at least not for a couple of years.
After 18 years in the NHL, Patrick Roy, one of the best goaltenders in the league today, is hanging up the goaltenders pads for good.
In the 2003-2004 regular season, the man affectionately called, "St. Patrick" won't be in the nets for the 'Avs.
While many American youngsters want to be like Michael Jordan, Canadian youngsters, especially from the French speaking province of Quebec, wanted to be like Roy.
Goaltenders like Amaheim's J.S. Giguere or Montreal's Jose Theodore, all wanted to be goaltenders after watching one of many games that Roy played for the hometown Montreal Canadiens.
While there may never be another Patrick Roy in hockey, the closest thing we have now is Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils, who also watched Roy play.
But Brodeur could get up close and personal with Roy as Martin's father was the official photographer of the Canadiens.
Roy is quitting hockey because, basically, he has done it all in the sport.
He has won four Stanley Cups with Montreal and with Colorado. He has been named MVP of the Stanley Cup playoffs three times, not to mention the records he's broken in the playoffs and regular hockey season.
He will always be known for his combativeness and willingness to mix up with members of the other team.
How many goaltenders do you know would get out their crease to join a fight?
Roy has many times, especially during those heated playoff games against Detroit.
You might call him an "innovator" of sorts.
He was one of the first players to study the videos of his games, and he was one of the first goaltenders to use a goaltending coach. Now it seems as though every hockey team has one.
Like many hockey players, Roy wouldn't speak to reporters the day of a game. He treated reporters the same way, no matter if they were male or female, veteran reporters or freelance reporters like me.
If Roy told you, "no more questions, the interview is over," you'd better not ask him anything else, even if you did have just one more question.
Roy won't be out of hockey completely.
He's part owner of the Quebec Remparts junior hockey club in Quebec City.
Yes, he also wants to spend more time with the family.
Just when hockey fans thought they could rest easily because they won't have to see Roy again in net, guess what?
In the future, you might be seeing another hot shot young goaltender named Roy in net - Patrick's 14-year-old son Frederick.
Use the feedback form below to submit your comments.
Use the form below to email this article to your friends.
- Avalanche fans want to know -- Can Patrick Roy be replaced?
- Patrick Roy - The man knew how to hate
- Patrick Roy, 1,000 games
- Aftermath of the collapse
- Jose Theodore -- Making them forget about "St. Patrick"
- Patrick Roy: A character in action
- That's what friends are for
- A window into brilliance
- NHL: Roy-alty
- Diversity Profile -- Jerome Iginla, Calgary Flames