Patrick Roy steps down as head coach of Colorado Avalanche
Hall of fame goaltender had 1 year remaining on his contract
Patrick Roy announced Thursday that he is stepping down as head coach and VP of Hockey Operations for the Colorado Avalanche.
The hall of fame goaltender spent three seasons with the Avalanche, compiling a 130-92-24 record behind the bench.
He won the Jack Adams trophy as the NHL's top coach after his first season in 2013-14. His team missed the playoffs the past two seasons.
He had one year left on his contract.
Roy released a statement Thursday, explaining his decision and thanking the Avalanche organization.
"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."
Roy, 50, had previously coached the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL for eight seasons.