History of Patrick Roy in Timeline

Patrick Roy, a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and current coach for the New York Islanders, is celebrated as one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history. Known as "Saint Patrick," he played for both the Montreal Canadiens and the Colorado Avalanche, winning four Stanley Cups – two with each team. Roy was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in 2017, solidifying his legacy as a dominant force in the sport.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

October 5, 1965: Patrick Roy's Birth

On October 5, 1965, Patrick Jacques Roy was born. He is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach, executive, and former player.

Others born on this day/year

1977: Played in Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament

In 1977, Roy played in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments on a minor ice hockey team from Quebec City.

1978: Played in Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with Brother

In 1978, Roy played in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments on a minor ice hockey team from Quebec City, which included his brother.

1983: Memorial Cup Participation

In 1983, the QMJHL champions were the host city which allowed the Remparts to participate in the Memorial Cup.

1984: Drafted by Montreal Canadiens

In 1984, Roy was drafted in the third round, 51st overall, in the NHL entry draft by the Montreal Canadiens.

February 23, 1985: NHL Debut and First Win

On February 23, 1985, Roy made his NHL debut, replacing Doug Soetaert in the third period, earning his first NHL win.

1986: Conn Smythe Trophy Winner

In 1986, Patrick Roy won the Conn Smythe Trophy as NHL playoff MVP.

1987: Jennings Trophy Winner

In 1987, Patrick Roy won the Jennings Trophy (fewest goals allowed), sharing with Brian Hayward.

1987: Won William M. Jennings Trophy

In 1987, Roy, along with Brian Hayward, won the William M. Jennings Trophy as the Canadiens regularly allowed the fewest goals against.

1988: Jennings Trophy Winner

In 1988, Patrick Roy won the Jennings Trophy (fewest goals allowed), sharing with Brian Hayward.

1988: Won William M. Jennings Trophy

In 1988, Roy, along with Brian Hayward, won the William M. Jennings Trophy as the Canadiens regularly allowed the fewest goals against.

1989: Vezina Trophy Winner

In 1989, Patrick Roy won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's best goaltender.

1989: Won William M. Jennings Trophy

In 1989, Roy, along with Brian Hayward, won the William M. Jennings Trophy as the Canadiens regularly allowed the fewest goals against.

June 9, 1990: Marriage to Michèle Piuze

On June 9, 1990, Patrick Roy married Michèle Piuze. They have three children: Jonathan, Frederick, and Jana.

1990: Vezina Trophy Winner

In 1990, Patrick Roy won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's best goaltender.

1991: Won William M. Jennings Trophy

In 1991, the Canadiens won the Adams Division again, with Roy winning the William M. Jennings Trophy.

1992: Vezina Trophy Winner

In 1992, Patrick Roy won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's best goaltender.

1992: Canadiens Fall from First Overall

In the 1992-93 season, the Canadiens fell from first overall in March.

1993: Conn Smythe Trophy Winner

In 1993, Patrick Roy won the Conn Smythe Trophy as NHL playoff MVP.

1993: Won Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Trophy

In 1993, Roy led the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup championship and was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner.

1993: Stanley Cup Finals against Kings

Roy had previously faced the Kings in the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals.

1994: Knocked out in First Round

In 1994, the Canadiens were knocked out in the first round by the Boston Bruins, Roy had appendicitis and missed game 3, but returned for game 4.

December 2, 1995: 11-1 Loss to Detroit Red Wings

On December 2, 1995, Roy was in net for Montreal's worst home game in franchise history, an 11–1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings, where he allowed nine goals on 26 shots and sarcastically raised his arms to the crowd.

December 1995: Montreal loss to Detroit

In December 1995, Montreal loss to Detroit that precipitated Roy's midseason trade to Colorado.

1995: Management Shakeup and Strained Relationships

In 1995, a disastrous start to the season and missing the playoffs led to a management shakeup, including a strained relationship between Roy and new head coach Mario Tremblay.

1995: Stanley Cup with Avalanche

In 1995, after his mid-season trade from the Canadiens, Roy helped the Avalanche win their first Stanley Cup in their first season after moving from Quebec.

1996: Eliminated Detroit

In 1996 conference finals Roy helped his new team eliminate first-place Detroit.

1996: Roy's Comments After Overtime Win

In 1996, after an overtime win against the Chicago Blackhawks, Jeremy Roenick complained about a missed penalty shot call. Roy responded with a quote about his Stanley Cup rings.

1997: Avalanche–Red Wings Brawl

During the Avalanche–Red Wings brawl in 1997, Roy fought the Wings' goaltender Mike Vernon.

1997: Claude Julien Wins Memorial Cup

In 1997, Claude Julien with the Hull Olympiques won the Memorial Cup, before Patrick Roy later won it.

1998: 1998 Winter Olympics

In 1998, Patrick Roy was the starting goaltender for Canada at the Winter Olympics in Nagano. Canada, a favorite to win, was eliminated in the semifinal by the Czech Republic in a shootout after a 1-1 tie. Canada then lost the bronze medal game to Finland 3-2. Roy finished the tournament with a 4-2 record, a 1.46 goals-against average, a .935 save percentage and one shutout.

1999: Avs winning playoffs

In 1999, the Avs winning playoffs.

October 22, 2000: Arrested for Domestic Violence

On October 22, 2000, Patrick Roy was arrested for domestic violence following an argument with his wife. He was released on $750 bail, and the case was later dismissed.

2000: Avs winning playoffs

In 2000, the Avs winning playoffs.

2000: Avalanche won Presidents' Trophy

In 2000-01, Roy's Avalanche won the Presidents' Trophy for the best regular season record.

2001: Conn Smythe Trophy Winner

In 2001, Patrick Roy won the Conn Smythe Trophy as NHL playoff MVP.

2002: Declined 2002 Winter Olympics Opportunity

In 2002, Patrick Roy declined the opportunity to play for Canada at the Winter Olympics prior to the team being selected.

2002: Jennings Trophy Winner

In 2002, Patrick Roy won the Jennings Trophy (fewest goals allowed).

2002: Pulled after allowing six goals

In 2002, Roy was pulled after allowing six goals in game seven of the Western Conference finals, a game Detroit won 7–0 to advance to the Stanley Cup Final.

April 22, 2003: Final Game

On April 22, 2003, Patrick Roy's final game was played against the Minnesota Wild, in a game seven overtime loss.

May 28, 2003: Retirement Announcement

On May 28, 2003, Patrick Roy announced his retirement.

October 28, 2003: Avalanche Retired Roy's Jersey

On October 28, 2003, the Colorado Avalanche retired Patrick Roy's number 33 jersey.

2004: Greatest Goaltender in NHL History

In 2004, Roy was selected as the greatest goaltender in NHL history by a panel of 41 writers, coupled with a simultaneous fan poll.

September 29, 2005: Named Head Coach of the Quebec Remparts

On September 29, 2005, after retiring from the NHL, Patrick Roy joined the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL as vice-president of hockey operations, owner, and general manager. He was also named head coach of the team.

2005: Divorce from Michèle Piuze

In early 2005, Patrick Roy and Michèle Piuze divorced. Roy has not remarried since.

May 28, 2006: Remparts Win the 2006 Memorial Cup

On May 28, 2006, Patrick Roy's Quebec Remparts won the 2006 Memorial Cup, beating the Moncton Wildcats 6–2 in the finals. Roy became the seventh coach to win the Cup in his rookie year, and the first since 1997.

November 13, 2006: Induction into Hockey Hall of Fame

On November 13, 2006, Roy was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

2006: Elected to Hockey Hall of Fame

In 2006, Patrick Roy was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

January 19, 2007: Saguenay Police Investigate Incident

On January 19, 2007, police investigated an incident involving Patrick Roy and Pierre Cardinal, co-owner of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens. Roy was reported to have thrown punches at Cardinal after Cardinal dispersed a crowd blocking the Remparts' bus. An assault complaint was filed against Roy.

January 21, 2007: Roy Speaks Out

On January 21, 2007, following a Remparts game, Patrick Roy claimed he was suffering prejudice from the media and questioned his future as head coach and co-owner of the team, considering resigning.

January 25, 2007: Complaint Against Roy Removed

On January 25, 2007, Pierre Cardinal removed his complaint against Patrick Roy. Subsequently, Roy announced he would remain coach and co-owner of the Remparts.

March 22, 2008: On-Ice Incident in Chicoutimi

On March 22, 2008, during a playoff game against the Saguenéens in Chicoutimi, Quebec, Patrick Roy's son, Jonathan Roy, charged and repeatedly hit the opposing goaltender, Bobby Nadeau, instigating a brawl. Patrick Roy was suspended for five games and fined $4,000, while Jonathan was suspended for seven games and fined $500.

July 2008: Assault Charges Filed Against Jonathan Roy

In July 2008, Jonathan Roy was charged with assault in Saguenay courts following the March on-ice incident.

November 21, 2008: Frederick Roy Suspended

On November 21, 2008, Patrick Roy's other son, Frederick Roy, was suspended 15 games by the QMJHL for cross-checking an opponent in the head. This incident occurred the night before Patrick Roy's jersey retirement ceremony in Montreal.

November 22, 2008: Canadiens Retired Roy's Jersey

On November 22, 2008, the Montreal Canadiens retired Patrick Roy's number 33 jersey. This made Roy the sixth NHL player to have his number retired by two organizations.

May 2009: Offer from Colorado Avalanche

In May 2009, Patrick Roy was offered the head coaching position with the Colorado Avalanche but turned it down, expressing the possibility of coaching in the NHL in the future.

September 2012: Joins French-Canadian Hockey Talk Show

In September 2012, Patrick Roy became a permanent member of the French–Canadian hockey talk show l'Antichambre as a hockey analyst, reuniting with his former coach, Mario Tremblay.

May 23, 2013: Named Head Coach and VP of Hockey Operations of the Colorado Avalanche

On May 23, 2013, Patrick Roy was named head coach and vice-president of hockey operations of the Colorado Avalanche, with final say in all hockey matters, sharing duties with Joe Sakic.

October 2, 2013: First Game as Avalanche Coach

On October 2, 2013, in his first regular season game as coach, Patrick Roy led the Colorado Avalanche to a 6–1 win over the Anaheim Ducks, and was involved in a shouting match with coach Bruce Boudreau. Roy tied Mario Tremblay for the most consecutive wins at the beginning of an NHL coaching career.

2013: Jack Adams Award Winner

In the 2013-14 season, Patrick Roy coached the Colorado Avalanche to 112 points, winning the Central Division title and tying a franchise record with 52 wins. He subsequently won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's top coach.

2014: Stanley Cup Playoffs and Coaching Strategy

During the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs, Patrick Roy became known for aggressively pulling his goaltender to set up empty-net scenarios. The Avalanche lost in the first round to the Minnesota Wild. The following season, the team finished last in their division.

2014: Joe Sakic Formally Granted Title of General Manager

In 2014, Joe Sakic was formally granted the title of general manager for the Avalanche. However, Roy and Sakic still shared most of the duties normally held by a general manager in the NHL.

August 11, 2016: Resigned as Head Coach of the Avalanche

On August 11, 2016, Patrick Roy stepped down as the head coach and vice-president of hockey operations for the Colorado Avalanche, citing a lack of input in personnel decisions.

2017: Named One of 100 Greatest NHL Players

In 2017, Patrick Roy was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history.

January 2024: Purchased Stake in Boxers de Bordeaux

In January 2024, Patrick Roy, with businessmen Jean Bédard and Jacques Tanguay, purchased a minority stake in Boxers de Bordeaux, a French professional hockey team.