I was first exposed to hockey when I was nine years old, when the Quebec Nordiques became the Colorado Avalanche. After seeing my first game, I did all I could to learn all I could about the team and the sport. My life had changed thanks to the likes of Joe Sakic, Adam Foote, and Peter Forsberg.
But, nothing solidified my love of the game quite as much as Patrick Roy coming to town. He was a notoriously talented goaltender that made it to our brand new hockey town by a stroke of sheer luck, bringing with him a quirky, superstitious style and an unwillingness to lose. I had gained my new childhood idol.
Watching Roy bring two Stanley Cups to Colorado was an integral part of my growing up, so it was incredible to watch the Avalanche retire his number in 2003. It was a fitting end to his career. But there was one piece missing. Patrick Roy could not have done the things he did in Denver without his stellar beginnings in Montreal. With the Canadiens retiring number 33, the last chapter of Roy’s career has finally been written.
Patrick Roy by the Numbers:
- 15 – Number of players with their numbers retired by two teams.
- 4 – Stanley Cup Rings
- 1029 – Games played, most by an NHL goaltender.
- 551 – Regular season wins, NHL record
- 247 – Playoff games played, most by an NHL goaltender, 2nd most in NHL among all players.
- 151 – Playoff wins, most by an NHL goaltender.
- 3 – Conn Smythe Trophies, most by any NHL player.
- 75,444 – Minutes played, most by an NHL goaltender.
The three videos below show the HNIC broadcast of the ceremony at the Bell Centre (which is MUCH better than what American viewers saw on the NHL Network).
For nostalgia’s sake, here is the Avalanche jersey retirement ceremony at the Pepsi Center, held on October 28, 2003.