History of Patrick Roy in Timeline

Patrick Roy is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player, currently head coach for the New York Islanders. Renowned as "king of goaltenders" and named one of the NHL's 100 Greatest Players, he played for the Montreal Canadiens (11 years) and Colorado Avalanche (8 years), earning the nickname "Saint Patrick". Roy won four Stanley Cups, two with each team, solidifying his legacy as an iconic goaltender in NHL history.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

October 5, 1965: Patrick Roy is born

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

1978: Played in Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament again

In 1978, Patrick Roy, along with his brother, played in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament on a minor ice hockey team from Quebec City.

1984: Drafted by the Montreal Canadiens

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

February 23, 1985: NHL Debut

On February 23, 1985, Patrick Roy made his NHL debut, replacing Doug Soetaert in the third period, earning his first NHL win without allowing a goal.

1986: Roy Wins Conn Smythe Trophy

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

1987: Won the William M. Jennings Trophy

In 1987, Patrick Roy and Brian Hayward won the William M. Jennings Trophy as the Canadiens allowed the fewest goals against.

1987: Roy Wins Jennings Trophy

In 1987, Patrick Roy won the Jennings Trophy (fewest goals allowed).

1988: Won the William M. Jennings Trophy again

In 1988, Patrick Roy and Brian Hayward won the William M. Jennings Trophy for the second year in a row as the Canadiens allowed the fewest goals against.

1988: Roy Wins Jennings Trophy

In 1988, Patrick Roy won the Jennings Trophy (fewest goals allowed).

1989: Won the William M. Jennings Trophy and Lost Stanley Cup Final

In 1989, Patrick Roy and Brian Hayward won the William M. Jennings Trophy for the third year in a row as the Canadiens allowed the fewest goals against. The Canadiens lost to the Calgary Flames in the Stanley Cup Final.

1989: Roy Wins Vezina Trophy

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

June 9, 1990: Patrick Roy Marries Michèle Piuze

On June 9, 1990, Patrick Roy married Michèle Piuze. They later had three children.

1990: Roy Wins Vezina Trophy

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

1991: Successful individual year.

In 1991, Roy had a very successful individual year, winning the William M. Jennings Trophy, and Vezina Trophy and being selected for the NHL's first All-Star team.

1992: Roy Wins Vezina Trophy

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

1993: Won the Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Trophy

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

1993: Roy Wins Conn Smythe Trophy

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

1994: Canadiens Knocked out in First Round

In 1994, the Canadiens, as defending champions, were knocked out in the first round by the Boston Bruins. Roy played with appendicitis, missing Game 3 but returning for Game 4.

December 2, 1995: Montreal's Worst Home Game in Franchise History

On December 2, 1995, Patrick Roy played in net against the Detroit Red Wings during Montreal's worst home game in franchise history, an 11–1 loss, where he allowed nine goals on 26 shots.

December 1995: 11-1 Montreal loss to Detroit

In December 1995, the 11-1 Montreal loss to Detroit precipitated Roy's midseason trade to Colorado.

1995: Mario Tremblay Hired as Coach

In 1995, Mario Tremblay was hired as Montreal's new head coach, replacing Jacques Demers. Roy and Tremblay had a strained relationship.

1995: Helped Avalanche win their first Stanley Cup

In the 1995-96 season, after being traded from the Canadiens mid-season, Patrick Roy helped the Colorado Avalanche win their first Stanley Cup after moving from Quebec.

1996: Avalanche Won Stanley Cup

In 1996, Jeremy Roenick was stopped by Roy on a breakaway during overtime. Roy and the Avalanche beat the Blackhawks in six games and went on to win the Stanley Cup. "I can't really hear what Jeremy says, because I've got my two Stanley Cup rings plugging my ears."

1996: Avs eliminate Detroit

In the 1995-96 season's 1996 conference finals, Roy helped his new team eliminate first-place Detroit.

1997: Avalanche-Red Wings Brawl

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

1998: 1998 Winter Olympics

In 1998, Patrick Roy was the starting goaltender for Canada at the Winter Olympics, playing all six games. Canada failed to win a medal after losing to the Czech Republic in a shootout and then to Finland in the bronze medal game.

1999: Avalanche Won against Red Wings in playoffs

In 1999, The Avalanche won against Red Wings in playoffs.

October 22, 2000: Roy Arrested for Domestic Violence

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

2000: Avalanche Won against Red Wings in playoffs

In 2000, The Avalanche won against Red Wings in playoffs.

2000: Avalanche Won the Presidents' Trophy

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

2001: Roy Wins Conn Smythe Trophy

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

2002: Declined to play for Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics

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

2002: Pulled After Allowing Six Goals

In 2002, Patrick 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.

2002: Roy Wins Jennings Trophy

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

April 22, 2003: Roy's Final Game

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

May 28, 2003: Patrick Roy Announces Retirement

On May 28, 2003, Patrick Roy announced his retirement from professional ice hockey.

October 28, 2003: Avalanche Retire 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, Patrick Roy was selected as the greatest goaltender in NHL history by a panel of 41 writers and a fan poll.

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

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

May 28, 2006: Remparts Win 2006 Memorial Cup

On May 28, 2006, Patrick Roy's Remparts team won the 2006 Memorial Cup, defeating the Moncton Wildcats 6-2 in the finals. Roy became the seventh coach to win the Cup in his rookie year.

November 13, 2006: Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame

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

2006: Roy 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 Roy Incident

On January 19, 2007, Saguenay Police investigated an incident involving Patrick Roy and Pierre Cardinal, the co-owner of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens, after reports surfaced that Roy threw punches at Cardinal.

January 21, 2007: Roy Addresses Media, Considers Resignation

On January 21, 2007, following a Remparts game, Roy addressed the media stating he was suffering prejudice regarding the January 19 incident. He questioned his future as head coach and co-owner of the team, even considering resigning from his duties.

January 25, 2007: Complaint Dropped, Roy Stays with Remparts

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

March 22, 2008: Roy Involved in On-Ice Incident

On March 22, 2008, during a playoff game against the Saguenéens, Roy's son Jonathan charged towards and assaulted the opposing goaltender. Patrick Roy was later suspended for five games and fined $4,000 following an investigation by the league office.

July 2008: Jonathan Roy Charged with Assault

In late July 2008, Jonathan Roy, Patrick Roy's son, was charged with assault in Saguenay courts following an on-ice incident in March.

November 21, 2008: Frederick Roy Suspended

On November 21, 2008, Patrick Roy's son, Frederick Roy, received a 15-game suspension from the QMJHL for cross-checking an opponent in the head.

November 22, 2008: Canadiens Retire Roy's Jersey

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

May 2009: Roy Declines Avalanche Coaching Position

In May 2009, Patrick Roy was offered the head coaching position with the Colorado Avalanche, but turned it down.

September 2012: Roy Joins l'Antichambre

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: Roy Named Head Coach and VP of Hockey Operations for Avalanche

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

October 2, 2013: Roy's Coaching Debut with Avalanche

On October 2, 2013, Patrick Roy's first regular season game as coach of the Colorado Avalanche was a 6–1 win over the Anaheim Ducks. During the game, Roy had a shouting match with Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau.

2013: Avalanche Have Successful 2013-14 Season

During the 2013-14 season, Roy led the Colorado Avalanche to 112 points, winning the Central Division title and tying a franchise record with 52 wins. He would later win the Jack Adams Award for the NHL's top coach.

2014: Roy's Goaltender Strategy in 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs

During the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs, Roy became known for aggressively pulling goaltender Semyon Varlamov to set up a 6-on-5, empty-net scenario. The Avalanche lost in the first round to the Minnesota Wild.

August 11, 2016: Roy Resigns as Avalanche Head Coach

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 the 100 Greatest NHL Players

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

January 2024: Joins Islanders as Head Coach

In January 2024, Patrick Roy joined the New York Islanders of the NHL as head coach.

January 2024: Roy Invests in Boxers de Bordeaux

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