It’s Official: Roy Retires

Patrick Roy, arguably the greatest goaltender of all time, called it quits Wednesday afternoon during a press conference at the Pepsi Center in Denver.

“I feel great about my decision,” Roy said Wednesday after announcing his retirement. “I really feel like I emptied the tank and I’m ready to move on. I step aside with no regrets.”

At 37 years old, Roy is still considered one of the league’s top netminders. He posted the a career-best regular-season just two years ago. However, he preferred to go out while he still was on top of his game.

“It’s always been important for me to play with consistency, but also leave on my own terms,” said Roy. “I think I’ve accomplished everything I wanted and I think I’ve done basically what I think I should.”

Roy said he made the decision to retire before the start of this NHL season. He made the announcement of his retirement a press conference attended by his wife and three children, as well as Avalanche coach Tony Granato and teammates Mike Keane, Joe Sakic and Brad Larsen.

Roy is a four-time Stanley Cup champion, twice with Montreal and twice with Colorado. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP three times and holds NHL records for wins and games played by a netminder.

I’ve had a blast. It’s been unbelievable. I’ve been so fortunate to have lived a dream and have fun for more than 18 years earning a living by playing a game I love,” said Roy, who alternated between speaking in English and French as he answered questions from both Denver and Montreal.

Roy spent the first ten years of his career with the Canadiens before he was traded to Colorado in the middle of his eleventh season. After eighteen years in the NHL, Roy has no immediate plans to take a management role for an NHL team but says he’s open to the idea. For now he plans on moving his family back to Quebec.

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Pierre Lacroix, Avalanche general manager, announced that Roy’s No. 33 jersey will be retired by the Avalanche next season. It will be the second number retired by the Avs since their move to Denver from Quebec. Colorado retired Ray Bourque’s No. 77 during the 2001-2002 season.