Patrick Roy resigning as Avalanche coach, hockey ops VP

Citing philosophical differences, Patrick Roy has decided to leave the Colorado Avalanche organization.

Author:
Allan Muir
Publish date:
Aug 11, 2016

Patrick Roy has resigned as the head coach and vice president of hockey operations for the Colorado Avalanche.

Roy, who won two Stanley Cups with the team as a player, spent three seasons behind the bench, compiling a 130-92-24 record. He was named the Jack Adams Award winner as the NHL’s best bench boss in 2014 after guiding the Avs to a 52-22-8 mark.

He issued the following statement on Thursday:

"For the past three years, I have carried out my duties as Head Coach and Vice President of Hockey Operations for the Colorado Avalanche with energy, passion and determination.

SI's Best Photos of Patrick Roy

Patrick Roy

May 3, 1986 — Prince of Wales Conference Finals, Game 2 (Canadiens vs. Rangers)

Patrick Roy

May 7, 1986 — Prince of Wales Conference Finals, Game 4 (Canadiens vs. Rangers)

Patrick Roy

May 7, 1986 — Prince of Wales Conference Finals, Game 4 (Canadiens vs. Rangers)

Patrick Roy

May 9, 1986 — Prince of Wales Conference Finals, Game 5 (Canadiens vs. Rangers)

Patrick Roy and Craig Ludwig

May 9, 1986 — Prince of Wales Conference Finals, Game 5 (Canadiens vs. Rangers)

Patrick Roy and coach Jean Perron

May 24, 1986 — Stanley Cup Final, Game 5 (Canadiens vs. Flames)

Patrick Roy

April 27, 1990 — Adams Division Final, Game 5 (Canadiens vs. Bruins)

Patrick Roy and Zarley Zalapski

May 1, 1992 — Adams Division Semifinals, Game 7 (Canadiens vs. Whalers)

Patrick Roy

May 9, 1992 — Adams Division Final, Game 4 (Canadiens vs. Bruins)

Joe Sakic and Patrick Roy

April 20, 1993 — Adams Division Semifinals, Game 2 (Canadiens vs. Nordiques)

Patrick Roy

June 1, 1993 — Stanley Cup Final, Game 1 (Canadiens vs. Kings)

Patrick Roy

June 3, 1993 — Stanley Cup Final, Game 2 (Canadiens vs. Kings)

Patrick Roy

June 7, 1993 — Stanley Cup Final, Game 4 (Canadiens vs. Kings)

Patrick Roy

June 9, 1993 — Stanley Cup Final, Game 5 (Canadiens vs. Kings)

Patrick Roy, wife Michele, sons Jonathan and Frederick, and daughter Jana

June 11, 1993 — Roy's home in Montreal

Patrick Roy

Dec. 7, 1995 — Colorado Avalanche locker room

Patrick Roy

May 25, 1996 — Western Conference Final, Game 4 (Avalanche vs. Red Wings)

Patrick Roy and Scott Mellanby

June 4, 1996 — Stanley Cup Final, Game 1 (Avalanche vs. Panthers)

Patrick Roy, Rob Niedermayer and Scott Mellanby

June 8, 1996 — Stanley Cup Final, Game 3 (Avalanche vs. Panthers)

Patrick Roy

June 10, 1996 — Stanley Cup Final, Game 4 (Avalanche vs. Panthers)

Patrick Roy

June 17, 1996 SI cover

Patrick Roy and Viacheslav Fetisov

May 26, 1997 — Western Conference Final, Game 6 (Avalanche vs. Red Wings)

Patrick Roy and Chris Osgood

April 1, 1998 — Avalanche vs. Red Wings

Patrick Roy

May 16, 1999 — Western Conference Semifinals, Game 5 (Avalanche vs. Red Wings)

Patrick Roy

April 2, 2001

Patrick Roy

June 2, 2001 — Stanley Cup Final, Game 4 (Avalanche vs. Devils)

Patrick Roy and the Colorado Avalnche

2001-0609-Patrick-Roy-Avalanche-teammates-001233630.jpg — David E. Klutho

June 9, 2001 — Stanley Cup Final, Game 4 (Avalanche vs. Devils)

Patrick Roy and Steve Konowalchuk

March 19, 2002 — Avalanche vs. Capitals

Patrick Roy

March 12, 2002 — Avalanche vs. Red Wings

Patrick Roy, Tomas Holmstrom and Darius Kasparaitis

May 22, 2002 — Western Conference Final, Game 3 (Avalanche vs. Red Wings)

Patrick Roy

March 15, 2003 — Avalanche vs. Red Wings

Patrick Roy

Nov. 8, 2003 — Quebec Ramarts practice

Patrick Roy

Nov. 8, 2013 — Avalanche vs. Flames

I have thought long and hard over the course of the summer about how I might improve this team to give it the depth it needs and bring it to a higher level. To achieve this, the vision of the coach and VP-Hockey Operations needs to be perfectly aligned with that of the organization. He must also have a say in the decisions that impact the team's performance. These conditions are not currently met.

Patrick Roy's shocking resignation a sign of front office dysfunction

Today, I am informing you of my decision to leave the Colorado Avalanche organization. Though it saddens me, I have put much thought about this decision in recent weeks and have come to be fully comfortable with it.

I am grateful to the Colorado Avalanche organization, with which I remain in good terms, for letting me lead this great team. I thank all the players I have had the pleasure of coaching and the fans for their unwavering, unconditional support.

I remain forever loyal to the Avalanche with which I played 478 games, coached another 253, and won two Stanley Cups."