Patrick Roy has long been rumored to be a suitor for to be the next head coach of the Colorado Avalanche. Prior to the Avs hiring Joe Sacco in 2009, Roy’s name was bandied about as being the choice for the gig.
Four years later and here we are again. After relieving Sacco of his duties a few weeks ago, ‘Saint Patrick’ was again being anointed by the media as the surefire choice for the Avalanche’s coaching vacancy.
This time it actually happened. Today, the Avalanche announced Roy was hired to become the team’s sixth head coach.
“This is a very exciting day for our fans and a significant moment in our organization’s history,” said Avalanche President Josh Kroenke in a statement. “Patrick’s passion for the game of hockey both as a player and as a coach defines who he is as a person.”
“This is an unbelievable day for me,” said Roy. “It’s a new and exciting challenge that I am really looking forward to.
“Almost 10 years to the day that I announced my retirement as a player I am back in Denver and hope the fans are as excited as I am.”
The dominos for the move started to fall a few days ago when Roy’s long time teammate and former Avalanche captain Joe Sakic is now in charge of the Avalanche’s hockey operations.
Roy had been coaching the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL since 2005. In 2006, Roy led the Remparts to the Memorial Cup.
As a player Roy won four Stanley Cups, two with Montreal and two with Colorado.
The Avalanche hold the first overall pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
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