Patrick Roy steps down as Colorado Avalanche coach, vice president
Head coach Patrick Roy of the Colorado Avalanche handles bench duties against the Detroit Red Wings at Coors Field during the 2016 Coors Light Stadium Series game on Feb. 27, 2016 in Denver. Credit: Getty Images / Doug Pensinger
Patrick Roy has stepped down as coach and vice president of hockey operations for the Colorado Avalanche.
Roy made the announcement Thursday through a public relations agency, two months before the start of the NHL regular season. An Avalanche spokesman did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment, and the team’s website had no record of the move.
The Hall of Fame goaltender spent the past three seasons as coach and VP of hockey operations for the team that he led to two Stanley Cups as a player. Colorado made the playoffs in Roy’s first year behind the bench and missed the past two.
Roy cited his vision and the organization’s vision not being aligned and his lack of say in team decisions as reasons for stepping down. He says he remains on good terms with the Avalanche.
During his time in Colorado, Roy has split control with executive vice president and general manager Joe Sakic, a former teammate.
In the statement, Roy says he is saddened to leave the organization. The statement, released by Luc Ouellet, says Roy does not intend to comment further on his decision.
Ouellet confirmed in an email to The Associated Press that the statement is accurate.
Colorado went 130-92-24 under Roy, who won the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year in 2013-14. Before that he coached the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
In his playing days, Roy won four Cups, two with the Montreal Canadiens and then two with the Avalanche, three Vezina Trophies as the league’s top goaltender and two Conn Smythe Trophies as playoff MVP.
