Biography

Patrick Roy is often regarded as the greatest goalie ever to play the game of hockey. Winner of four Stanley Cups and several Conn Smythe and Vezina trophies, Roy is well deserving of the nickname, “Saint Patrick.” Roy was born on October 5, 1965 in Quebec City, where he played minor hockey with the Granby Bisons of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). In 1984, the Montreal Canadiens recognized his talent and drafted him. That year, Roy got his first taste of the big leagues, playing one period with the Canadiens, going on to become their regular goaltender in the 1985-86 season, where he demonstrated what hockey fans would be treated to for years to come. On top of helping the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup, Roy won his first of three Conn Smythe Trophies as the most valuable player in the playoffs. In 1993, Roy repeated this feat, as the Canadiens won another Stanley Cup, and Patrick Roy picked up another Conn Smythe. Over the next decade, Roy would solidify his position as one the elite NHL goalies, winning numerous Jennings and Vezina trophies, and become an All-Star game regular. In 1996, Roy joined the Colorado Avalanche and helped them win the Stanley Cup that same year, and again in 2001.

Roy is also known for revolutionizing and popularizing Glenn Hall’s butterfly style of goaltending. Although he retired from the NHL after the 2002 season, Roy continues to influence the next generation of players in other ways. In 2006, Roy won the Memorial Cup, coaching and managing the Quebec Ramparts of the QMJHL. The same year, his legacy was cemented as he was inducted into the Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame.