Patrick Roy Leaves Avalanche

Patrick Roy has announced that he is stepping down as the head coach and Vice President of Hockey Operations for the Colorado Avalanche. Roy was hired by the Avalanche on May 23, 2013, and went on to win the Jack Adam’s in his first season with the club.

Below is a statement released by Patrick Roy announcing his resignation:

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.

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. – Patrick Roy

Despite making the playoffs and winning the Jack Adam’s in the 2013-14 season after finishing second in the Western Conference and first in the Central Division, times have been tough for Roy and the Avalanche in the last two seasons. With a missed playoff bid in each of the last two years and apparent communication issues between coach and management, Roy’s time with the Avalanche is now over.