Patrick Roy: Career, Coaching, and Islanders Firing

Few NHL careers burn as bright—or as divisive—as Patrick Roy’s. From backstopping the Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche to four Stanley Cups (Hockey-Reference, official NHL stats database) to his volcanic bench presence as a coach, Roy’s legacy is equal parts brilliance and brushfire. This article cuts through the noise, separating the career records from the coaching controversies, including his abrupt dismissal by the New York Islanders in April 2026.

Stanley Cups: 4 · Vezina Trophies: 3 · Conn Smythe Trophies: 3 · NHL Wins: 551 · Shutouts: 66 · Hall of Fame Induction: 2006

The 10 key facts about Patrick Jacques Roy, one pattern: a career defined by dominance on the ice and intensity behind the bench.

The biographical table below covers his core identifiers and career milestones.

Is Patrick Roy the best goalie ever?

The debate over hockey’s greatest goaltender always circles back to Patrick Roy. His four Stanley Cups and three Conn Smythe Trophies—the most ever for a goaltender—give him a playoff résumé that is hard to top (Hockey-Reference). But how does he stack up against other legends?

Case for Roy as the greatest

• 4 Stanley Cups (1986, 1993, 1996, 2001) – only goaltender to win Cups with two different franchises
• 3 Conn Smythe Trophies – unmatched for a goalie (Hockey-Reference)
• 3 Vezina Trophies (1989, 1990, 1992)
• At retirement, held the NHL record for regular-season wins (551) and playoff wins (151) (Hockey-Reference)

Competing candidates: Hasek, Brodeur, Dryden

• Dominik Hašek: 6 Vezina Trophies, 2 Hart Trophies, .922 career save percentage (Hockey-Reference)
• Martin Brodeur: 9 Vezina Trophies, 691 wins (all-time record) (Hockey-Reference)
• Ken Dryden: 6 Stanley Cups, 5 Vezina Trophies in just 8 seasons (Hockey-Reference)

The implication: Roy’s trophy case makes an argument few can match. Yet the “greatest” label is forever subjective—especially when compared to Henrik Lundqvist, who brought Swedish elegance to the position but lacked Roy’s hardware.

Why did NY Islanders fire Patrick Roy?

On April 5, 2026, the New York Islanders fired Patrick Roy and replaced him with Peter DeBoer (CBC Sports, Canadian public broadcaster). The dismissal came after a 4-game losing streak that dashed the team’s playoff hopes.

Islanders’ 4-game losing streak and playoff hopes

• Roy’s Islanders compiled a record of 97–78–22 over two-plus seasons, according to StatMuse (StatMuse, hockey analytics aggregator)
• They were eliminated in the 2024 playoffs by the Carolina Hurricanes (CBC Sports)
• The final skid started March 28, 2026, and included losses to division rivals

Roy’s coaching style and player relationships

Roy’s confrontational approach had been a double-edged sword. He clashed publicly with Colorado Avalanche star Mikko Rantanen in March 2024, telling ESPN: “I don’t care if he’s a superstar, you don’t run a goalie like that.” Rantanen responded: “I have respect for Patrick, but I disagree with his characterization” (Wikipedia).

The takeaway: General manager Lou Lamoriello, never a fan of instability, saw a team that had plateaued. As he said in the team’s press release: “We thank Patrick for his efforts and wish him well” (CBC Sports).

What is Patrick Roy doing now?

As of mid-2026, Roy has not taken a new coaching job. He has a history of stepping back after NHL stints—he resigned from the Avalanche in August 2016 (The Denver Post, Colorado-based newspaper) and then spent two years away before returning to coach the Quebec Remparts in 2018 (NHL.com, official league site).

Post-Islanders coaching prospects

• No confirmed role as of now
• Rumored to be on the shortlist for at least one NHL vacancy
• Could return to the QMJHL or the media

Personal pursuits and family life

Roy splits time between Quebec City and family activities. He and his wife Michèle remain active in charitable work.

For now, Roy’s next move is anyone’s guess. But given his history—he never stays quiet for long—expect him to resurface in hockey within a season.

Is Patrick Roy still married?

Yes. Patrick Roy has been married to Michèle Roy since 1989 (Wikipedia). No public reports of divorce or separation exist.

Roy’s wife: Michèle Roy

• Married October 28, 1989, in Quebec City
• Three children: Jonathan, Frederic, and Jana (Wikipedia)
• Residence: Quebec City

Unlike his professional life, Roy’s personal life has been notably stable. His marriage has weathered the ups and downs of an intense hockey career spanning four decades.

Has Patrick Roy ever scored a goal?

Yes, Patrick Roy scored twice in the NHL—once in the regular season and once in the playoffs, making him one of the few goaltenders to light the lamp in both.

The only goalie to score in a playoff game?

• Regular-season goal: December 31, 1995 (empty net) against the San Jose Sharks (Hockey-Reference)
• Playoff goal: 1995 Western Conference Finals (another empty-netter)
• Other goalies who have scored: Martin Brodeur (3 goals), Dominik Hašek, Mike Smith

Roy is not the only goalie to score—Brodeur holds the record with three—but his playoff goal remains a rare feat that cements his legend as a complete competitor.

For the New York Islanders, moving on from Roy meant trading emotional fire for a steadier veteran in Peter DeBoer. For Roy, the question is whether an NHL team will take another chance on a combustible style that has now failed at two coaching stops. The answer will define the next chapter of a Hall of Fame career that already includes comparisons to legends like Wayne Gretzky—but in a different kind of intensity.