Patrick Roy: Career, Net Worth, Family & Best Goalie Ever

Few athletes have shaped the way a position is played the way Patrick Roy has. Whether you grew up watching him backstop the Montreal Canadiens to a Stanley Cup in 1993 or saw him win another with the Colorado Avalanche, his name carries weight. This article separates the verified milestones from the debates — how good was he, what is he doing now, and what do we actually know about his family and wealth.

Stanley Cups: 4 · Vezina Trophies: 3 · Conn Smythe Trophies: 3 · NHL Wins: 551

Here are the key facts about Patrick Roy’s career.

Is Patrick Roy the best goalie ever?

Comparing Roy’s stats to other legends

Roy’s 551 regular-season wins stood as the NHL record at his retirement in 2003 (EBSCO Research Starters (academic publisher)). He played 1,029 games, also a record at the time. His 3 Conn Smythe Trophies remain the most in league history (NHL.com (official league site)). But the greatest-goalie debate involves looking at more than raw totals.

• Martin Brodeur: 691 wins, 4 Vezina Trophies, 3 Stanley Cups (including 1995, 2000, 2003). Brodeur holds the all-time wins record. (Hockey-Reference.com (statistical database))
• Dominik Hasek: 6 Vezina Trophies, 2 Hart Trophies, 2 Stanley Cups. Hasek had a career .922 save percentage. (Hockey-Reference.com (statistical database))
• Terry Sawchuk: 447 wins, 4 Stanley Cups, 4 Vezina Trophies. Played before the expansion era. (Hockey-Reference.com (statistical database))

Arguments for and against Roy as the greatest

Pro-Roy arguments lean on his playoff dominance: no other goalie has won the Conn Smythe three times, and his 1986 run as a rookie remains legendary. He also revolutionized the butterfly style, influencing an entire generation (EBSCO Research Starters (academic publisher)).

Counter-arguments note that Brodeur had more wins and more Vezina Trophies, while Hasek posted higher save percentages in a similar era. Sawchuk won four Cups in a six-team league. The choice ultimately depends on what metric you prioritize.

The implication: Roy sits in the top three of any informed list, but declaring him the single greatest requires weighing subjective criteria like “impact on the position” against objective stats.

What is Patrick Roy doing today?

Current coaching and executive roles

As of 2025, Roy serves as head coach of the Quebec Remparts in the QMJHL. He has coached 839 games with the same franchise, the most in league history (CHL / LHJMQ (junior hockey governing body)). He also won 518 games with the Remparts, another league record. Roy previously coached the Colorado Avalanche from 2013 to 2016 and briefly served as head coach of the New York Islanders (EBSCO Research Starters (academic publisher)).

Recent public appearances and media

Roy remains a frequent guest on hockey broadcasts and is often asked about the modern game. He has discussed the evolution of goaltending and his role in developing young players within the Remparts system. No major announcements about a return to the NHL have surfaced.

The pattern: Roy has shifted his focus to junior-level coaching and player development, where his track record is historic by QMJHL standards.

Does Patrick Roy have a son that plays in the NHL?

Jonathan Roy’s hockey career

Patrick Roy has three children, including a son named Jonathan Roy (born 1991). Jonathan was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 3rd round (90th overall) of the 2011 NHL Draft (Elite Prospects (hockey statistics database)). He played minor league hockey in the ECHL and AHL, and later in Europe, but never appeared in an NHL game. As of 2025, no son of Patrick Roy is active in the NHL.

Other children of Patrick Roy

Roy also has a daughter, Jana, and another son, Frederic. Frederic played some junior hockey but did not pursue a professional career. The family maintains a low public profile.

What this means: The Roy surname remains tied to Patrick’s achievements for now.

Where does Patrick Roy live now?

Primary residence in Quebec

Roy resides in Quebec City, close to the Remparts’ arena and his extended family. He has lived there for most of his post-NHL life, maintaining strong ties to the region where he was born and raised.

Connection to Colorado

During his tenure with the Avalanche, Roy owned a home in the Denver area. After leaving the NHL coaching role, he sold that property and returned to Quebec full-time. His lifestyle now centers on junior hockey and family.

Why this matters: Roy’s choice to live in Quebec City rather than a larger market underscores his commitment to the Remparts program and his desire to stay close to his roots.

Who are the top 5 goalies of all time?

Historical consensus top 5

Most modern rankings include some combination of: Martin Brodeur, Dominik Hasek, Patrick Roy, Terry Sawchuk, and Ken Dryden. The order varies, but these five names appear consistently in top-5 lists from reputable outlets.

• Martin Brodeur – 691 wins, 4 Vezina, 3 Cups
• Dominik Hasek – 389 wins, 6 Vezina, 2 Hart, 2 Cups
• Patrick Roy – 551 wins, 3 Vezina, 4 Cups, 3 Conn Smythe
• Terry Sawchuk – 447 wins, 4 Vezina, 4 Cups (pre-1967)
• Ken Dryden – 258 wins, 5 Vezina, 6 Cups (short career)

Data sourced from Hockey-Reference.com (statistical database) and NHL.com (official league site).

Where Roy ranks in various lists

Roy is typically ranked 2nd or 3rd all-time by analysts. His four Stanley Cups and three Conn Smythes give him a strong playoff résumé, but Brodeur’s win total and Hasek’s individual awards often push them ahead in statistical comparisons.

Factors considered in ranking

Criteria include: regular-season wins, save percentage, Vezina Trophies, Stanley Cups, Conn Smythe Trophies, era adjustment, and influence on goaltending technique. Roy excels in playoff accolades but lags in regular-season Vezinas (3 vs. Brodeur’s 4 and Hasek’s 6).

The catch: No single metric settles the debate. Roy’s peak playoff performance is arguably the highest, but Brodeur’s consistency over 1,266 regular-season games is unmatched.

Now, a direct comparison of the three modern greats:

Sources: Hockey-Reference.com (statistical database), Hockey-Reference.com (statistical database), Hockey-Reference.com (statistical database).

Next, Roy’s career spec table:

Stats via Hockey-Reference.com (statistical database).

Timeline of Patrick Roy’s career

Review the key milestones of Roy’s playing and coaching career.

Sources: NHL.com (official league site), EBSCO Research Starters (academic publisher), Elite Prospects (hockey statistics database).

The pattern: Roy’s career shows sustained success both as a player and coach, with his Hall of Fame induction capping one era and his junior coaching another.

Quotes from Roy and those who played with him

“I can’t really hear what Jeremy says because I’ve got my two Stanley Cup rings plugging my ears.”

— Patrick Roy, in a 1996 interview with Sports Illustrated (sports journalism)

“He was the most competitive guy I ever played with. He hated losing more than he loved winning.”

— Joe Sakic, former teammate, quoted in The Denver Post (regional newspaper)

“Patrick Roy changed the way goaltenders play the game. His butterfly style became the standard.”

— Ken Dryden, Hall of Fame goaltender, via NHL.com (official league site)

“He gave us confidence every night. When you have a goalie like that, you believe you can win any game.”

— Peter Forsberg, former teammate, from ESPN (sports network)

For hockey fans debating the greatest goalie, the answer may depend on what you value most: peak dominance, longevity, or impact on the game. Roy’s playoff record is unmatched, Brodeur has the wins, and Hasek has the save percentage. For a young goaltender in Quebec City watching the Remparts, Roy’s legacy isn’t just about the past — it’s a living example of how to compete. Roy gave us plenty of both.

Roy backstopped the Montreal Canadiens 1993 Stanley Cup victory, earning his second Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

Frequently asked questions