Colorado Avalanche Coach Patrick Roy Steps Down From Duties

Colorado Avalanche Coach Patrick Roy Steps Down From Behind the Bench, VP of Hockey Operations

Colorado Avalanche coach Patrick Roy shocked the hockey world on Thursday announcing that he would be stepping down from his duties as VP of Hockey Operations and the man behind the bench.

Roy, 50, was originally hired by Colorado back in May 2013. He accumulated a coaching record of 130-92-24 in three seasons, including a Jack Adams Award win as NHL’s best coach back in 2013-14 when the Avs went 52-22-8.

A former NHL legend, Patrick Roy was named to the Hockey Hall of Fame back in 2006-07, and IIHF Hall of Fame a year earlier. He was an 11-time All-Star over his career, and won the Vezina Trophy on three occasions.

To top it off, Roy is a four-time Stanley Cup champion and three-time Conn Smythe winner (playoff MVP). He won two of those Cups with the Avs (’95-96 and ’00-01), and one MVP (’00-01).

Former Colorado Avalanche coach Patrick Roy released the following statement (via Sportsnet):

“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. 

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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.

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.”

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Interestingly enough, it sounds as though Patrick Roy doesn’t believe Joe Sakic and company are doing a good enough job.

As he states, his views on how to improve the team don’t necessarily align with that of the organization.

He’s not wrong, this team was projected to be the next Chicago or Tampa Bay, and instead has consistently moved in a sideways direction after a number of questionable moves and draft picks in recent years.

The social media world is reacting to this latest news as we gather some of the best posts on twitter:

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What do you think Avs fans, or hockey fans in general? What direction should Colorado head in when looking for a new bench boss? Who are your nominees? Let us know what you think about today’s shocking news.