Despite his bitter departure from the team, Patrick Roy apparently will be given his due by the Montreal Canadiens.
Despite his bitter departure from the team, Patrick Roy apparently will be given his due by the Montreal Canadiens.
According to a report by Montreal newspaper La Presse on Friday, the Canadiens plan to retire Roys No. 33 in November.
The team would not confirm the report, and Roy told the newspaper he had no knowledge of the possible ceremony.
I dont know whats going on with that, Roy told La Presse. For sure, it would be a great honor.
A third-round pick in 1984, Roy was one of the top goaltenders in team history, leading Montreal to Stanley Cup championships in 1986 and 1993 - the last of the franchises record 23 NHL titles.
However, the native of Quebecs tenure with the Original Six club came to a screeching halt on December 2, 1995, when Roy allowed nine goals on 26 shots in a 12-1 home loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Feeling that Mario Tremblay humiliated him by refusing to pull him earlier in the game, Roy stormed past the coach to inform team president Ronald Corey he never again would play for the Canadiens.
Three days later, Roy was traded to Colorado in a five-player deal. The three-time Vezina Trophy winner went on to win two Stanley Cups with the Avalanche, who retired his No. 33 in 2003.
To this day, it still is believed Roy and the Canadiens are at odds. However, the former netminder insists there is no bad blood.
I dont know why people think theres a problem, Roy said, stating his duties as co-owner and coach of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey Leagues Quebec Remparts have prevented him from attending ceremonies in Montreal in recent years. I didnt have time to go to the Bell Centre. I would have liked to have gone to some events, like the jersey retirements of Bob Gainey and Serge Savard.
During his career with Montreal, Roy posted a 289-175-66 record with 29 shutouts and a 2.77 goals-against average in 551 games. The 11-time All-Star had a career mark of 551-315-131 with 66 blankings and a 2.54 GAA in 1,029 career contests over 19 seasons with the Canadiens and Avalanche.
His 551 victories are the most in NHL history, 13 more than New Jerseys Martin Brodeur.
A three-time Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Roy was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2006.