Roy to retire.

[tommy]

NHL's winningest goalie to retire after 18 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESPN.com news services


Patrick Roy has apparently made his decision.


Roy


According to a report in the Boulder Daily Camera, the Colorado Avalanche netminder has decided to retire after 18 seasons in the NHL.

Roy, the winningest goalie in NHL history, could make his announcement as early as Tuesday, sources outside of the organization told the newspaper.

The Avs were upset by the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Since then, Roy had said he would contemplate his future and not announce his final decision until the end of the postseason. The Ducks and Devils open the Stanley Cup finals Tuesday in New Jersey.

"Every year I come in, I don't know how many more I have," Roy at the end of the regular season. "The last three, four years, I say, 'That could be the last one.'"

The 37-year-old Roy has 551 career victories, and won the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the most valuable player of the playoffs, three times. Roy has also won four Stanley Cup rings: two with Montreal and two with Colorado. He has said he will announce his career plans at the conclusion of this year's playoffs.

He told The Associated Press last week that he was 90 percent sure of his decision, but wanted to wait until he's absolutely certain.

"I think it's important when you've played for 18 years, you have to take your time, you have to be patient and you have to make sure it's the right decision,'' Roy told The AP.

[Jeff O Rocks]

Good for him...he has had a great career!! Enjoy it Patrick! :spin:

[StormShaman]

That *******! He can't retire before he gets paid back for 1986!

*shakes fist*

[moonstomper]

wow, thats gonna put Colorado in a bad situation, can they give the reigns to Asbiecher? or will they try to sign a free agent (Osgood, Potvin, Hackett) or will they have to make a trade for a number 1?

[tommy]

I was about to post that, stompy... I think they might go for Potvin... and that's also what John Buccigross said in his column this week... Either way, it's not gonna be as good.

[crazy4canes]

I think he made the right decision. Happy retirement to him.

[Captain Slack]

I think Abs is ready to be a starter. From what I've seen of his play, he's pretty good. No Patrick Roy, but who is?

[Guyute]

Good for Patty.

and Abs is ready to be 'the guy'.

now... what about that backup? ***Raises door #1*** Here we have the loveable Latvian, Arturs Irbe. He can be yours for the low-low price of $2 mil (yes, I'm throwing in .6 mil to make the trade work. hehe)

let's hope they take it. ;)

[Turbulence]

Patty's had a great career...certainly the best ever to this point. Congrats...

I love the guy, but I don't think Aebischer is ready for the #1 job at a place like Colorado...Last year was his worst season, one where he was very mediocre. I see the Avs making a trade for a good 'tender...unless they can get one of the FAs.

I would love Aebischer for Irbe and Tselios or another prospect...but Colorado would be stupid to do that...

[Captain Slack]

now... what about that backup? ***Raises door #1*** Here we have the loveable Latvian, Arturs Irbe. He can be yours for the low-low price of $2 mil (yes, I'm throwing in .6 mil to make the trade work. hehe)

let's hope they take it. ;)

Throw in that, plus give us Bates back. :D

[Jeff O Rocks]

Throw in that, plus give us Bates back. :D

That would be great if he didn't have to endure the same kind of ridicule he endured before being traded!! :roll:

[nccanes]

Wow, looking at the photos from the press conference, it is just smile after smile after smile. Looks like he's pretty happy with his decision. Good for him.... :)

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20030528/capt.1054153812roy_retires_dxz103.jpg

[Jeff O Rocks]

Wow, looking at the photos from the press conference, it is just smile after smile after smile. Looks like he's pretty happy with his decision. Good for him.... :)



He looks really good in that pic Eileen....like the weight of the world is off his shoulders....He has had a great career and he is wise to go out before he starts "slowing down"... :spin:

[nccanes]

You know you're in Canada when....

ESPN Classic Canada is airing a 12-hour Patrick Roy retrospective tomorrow, starting at 6 p.m. (EDT) and featuring games from his four Stanley Cup triumphs in '86, '93, '96 and 2001.

[Jeff O Rocks]

You know you're in Canada when....

ESPN Classic Canada is airing a 12-hour Patrick Roy retrospective tomorrow, starting at 6 p.m. (EDT) and featuring games from his four Stanley Cup triumphs in '86, '93, '96 and 2001.


Eh?? :D ;)

[moonstomper]

Well, Roy knows who he wants to replace him.....


Roy: Give Aebischer a chance

Canadian Press

5/28/2003

DENVER (AP) - Patrick Roy made it clear who he thinks should replace him as goalie for the Colorado Avalanche next season: David Aebischer.

On the day he announced his retirement, Roy threw his support into the corner of the goalie who has been his backup the past three seasons.

``David is there. I think he deserves a chance,'' Roy said Wednesday at his retirement news conference. ``I think he has matured a lot over the years. He's been working extremely hard. Time will tell if he can do a good job, but I'm very confident.''

Aebischer was touted as Roy's replacement when he was first moved up to the NHL team in 2000, but a subpar 2002-03 might have management looking elsewhere.

Aebischer was 12-7-3 with a 2.24 goals-against average and three shutouts as a rookie in 2000-01, and was even better last year at 13-6 and 1.88.

But this season, in part because the Avalanche struggled defensively early, Aebischer was 7-12 with a 2.43 goals-against average.

Colorado's management is high on Phil Sauve, who pushed Aebischer for the backup spot in training camp last year, but they might want him to spend another year with the team's top minor league affiliate.

The Avalanche could look to free agency, where they might be able to pick up a veteran like Felix Potvin or Chris Osgood.

Avalanche general manager Pierre Lacroix indicated the team would likely stay within the organization, but he didn't say whether that meant going with Aebischer or giving Sauve a shot.

``Let me make one thing clear. You don't replace the calibre of player that Patrick Roy represents,'' Lacroix said. ``Our intention as an organization is not to find another Patrick Roy, but to give the chance to the young players that have been playing in our organization for many years.

``David is one of them. We have young goalies in our farm team too, that are great.''

Goalie isn't Colorado's only concern.

Swedish star Peter Forsberg, the NHL's top scorer last season, still hasn't said whether he will return to the team next season.

Forsberg, a restricted free agent on July 1, is still trying to decide between an eighth season with the Avalanche or returning to Sweden to play for his father's team.

Don Baizley, Forsberg's agent, said his client is taking time to think about his future.

``As last season wore on, he decided he was going to take some time away from hockey and give himself some down time before making a decision about the upcoming season,'' Baizley said.

Colorado captain Joe Sakic said he had no doubt which way Forsberg would go.

``He's coming back,'' Sakic said. ``He didn't tell me, but I know that he's coming back. That would be a shock (if he didn't return).

[Alicia]

I'm sure Roy gave this decision a lot of thought, I just hope it doesn't have a negative impact on the Avs as a team.

[Shell]

especially if Forsberg decides to go back to Sweden! I think he'll play one more year till the lockout, but ya never know and he hasn't committed.

[Alicia]

especially if Forsberg decides to go back to Sweden! I think he'll play one more year till the lockout, but ya never know and he hasn't committed.

That's worrisome also...I really would hate to see an Avs meltdown. But I think Forsberg will play one more year in the NHL.

[talkingcanes]

Avs' Roy has 'no regrets' calling it quits


From Wire Reports


Patrick Roy's piercing blue eyes gave no hint of the emotional moment. While those around him choked back tears and had trouble speaking, Roy barely blinked.
One of the greatest goalies in NHL history had been preparing for this moment for nearly a year.

"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."
Roy is just two years removed from his best regular season and is still considered one of the league's premier goalies at 37, but he figured it would be better to go out on top rather than tarnish his image.

"It's always been important for me to play with consistency but also leave on my own terms," said Roy, who made the decision to retire before this season. "I think I've accomplished everything I wanted, and I think I've done basically what I think I should."
It's hard to imagine doing much more.

Roy won four Stanley Cup titles -- two each with Montreal and Colorado -- and holds nearly every major goaltending record. He is the only three-time winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the MVP of the playoffs, and is the league's career leader in wins and games played.

Roy also has the most playoff wins, games and shutouts, and he helped popularize the butterfly style of goaltending by dropping to his knees to stop shots.

"You always knew you would have a chance to win with Patrick in net," said Mike Keane, who played with Roy in Colorado and Montreal.

Roy announced his retirement at a news conference attended by his wife and three children, Avalanche coach Tony Granato, and teammates Keane, Joe Sakic and Brad Larsen.

those passages highlight how very fortunate he is to have accomplished his professional goals and move on without regrets. I'm not sure most people are able to do that. I'm sure his kids anticipate lots of time with dad.

[Shell]

Avalanche sign Lawson
Associated Press
6/3/2003

DENVER (AP) - The Colorado Avalanche signed Tom Lawson, who was voted the top goaltender in the United Hockey League this season.

The six-foot-five, 200-pound Lawson was a first-team league all-star for the Fort Wayne Komets.

The Avs signed the 23-year-old goalie five days after Patrick Roy announced his retirement. Roy won four Stanley Cup titles - two each with Colorado and Montreal - and left as the NHL's career leader in wins.

Colorado also signed forward Cody McCormick, who played the last four seasons with Belleville of the Ontario Hockey League.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

So will Aebischer be the #1?

[Turbulence]

That's what an article in the N&O said...that he and Sauve would fight it out in camp but that Aebischer would prolly win.

I wish we could have him...

[Jeff O Rocks]

Six Foot Five?????????? Holy moly...big fella to get the puck over! :eek2:

[Cool Hand Luke]

Six Foot Five?????????? Holy moly...big fella to get the puck over! :eek2:

but think of the size of his 5 hole... :D

sorry, I couldn't help myself.

[Jeff O Rocks]

Six Foot Five?????????? Holy moly...big fella to get the puck over! :eek2:

but think of the size of his 5 hole... :D

sorry, I couldn't help myself.

:crazy: :eek: :eek2: :evil: