Way-Back Playback: Patrick Roy's last game as a Montreal Canadien
It wasn't exactly a letter of resignation, but Patrick Roy made his future plans as a member of the Montreal Canadiens clear as day following the worst individual performance of his iconic career.
On Dec. 2, 1995, Roy carried out his routine starting duties at home against the Detroit Red Wings. It was the 30-year-old netminder's 19th start of the season and a business-as-usual game just over two years removed from the Canadiens' 1993 Stanley Cup championship.
What happened next was unthinkable.
Roy allowed nine goals on 26 shots, and Canadiens head coach Mario Tremblay wouldn't pull his starter until the middle of the second period. As the crowd sarcastically cheered when Roy made an easy save, it was evident the goaltender's relationship with the city had been strained.
When Roy arrived to the bench, he bolted past Tremblay but took a step back to say something to Canadiens president Ronald Corey, who was sitting behind the bench.
"It's my last game in Montreal," said Roy.
Four days later, he was traded along with Canadiens captain Mike Keane to the newly-formed Colorado Avalanche for Jocelyn Thibault, Martin Rucinsky and Andrei Kovalenko. He would go on to win two Stanley Cups with the Avalanche and never play another game for Montreal as an active NHL goaltender.
Roy finally returned to Montreal on Nov. 22, 2008, when the Canadiens retired his No. 33, and was able to find some closure.
"I think it really turned the page on what happened in my last game here," he told The Hockey News. "I've been ready to move on for a long time."