DENVER, May 28 (UPI) -- Saying that he has "no regrets", Patrick Roy the NHL's winningest goaltender and four-time Stanley Cup champion, officially announced his retirement Wednesday.
Roy, addressing the media in English and French, revealed that he decided in September that this would be his final season. In recent years, the Colorado Avalanche netminder had been bothered by arthritic hips.
"I've had a blast, it's been unbelievable," he said. "I've been so fortunate to have lived a dream and have fun for more than 18 years, earning a living playing the game that I love. I should say how blessed I am."
Arguably the greatest goaltender in league history recorded 551 victories in an 18-year career. He won three Vezina Trophies and three Conn Smythe Trophies, awarded to the MVP of the playoffs.
Roy also is the NHL's career leader in games played (1,029), and ranks first in playoff victories (151) and shutouts (23).
The youngest player to win the Conn Smythe at age 20 when he led the Montreal Canadiens to the Stanley Cup title in 1986, Roy won another championship with the Canadiens in 1993.
In December 1995, the Avalanche made the best trade in club history when they acquired Roy with Mike Keane from Montreal for goaltender Jocelyn Thibault, Martin Rucinsky, and Andrei Kovalenko.
Roy's tenure with Montreal came to a disappointing end in December 1995, when he demanded a trade after Coach Mario Tremblay left him in too long in a lopsided loss to the Detroit Red Wings.
That season, Roy led the Avalanche to their first Stanley Cup title. He earned his fourth in 2001, beating Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils in seven games in the finals.
His bid for another Stanley Cup this year ended in disappointing fashion as the Avalanche squandered a three games to one lead to upstart Minnesota in the first round of the playoffs.
After Colorado was eliminated, Roy hinted at retirement, but said he would not announce his future plans until after the postseason.
Anaheim and New Jersey began the Stanley Cup Finals Tuesday night. Ironically, the most intoxicating matchup of the Finals features French-Canadian goaltenders Jean-Sebastien Giguere of Anaheim and Brodeur.
"I'll remember the good days and cherish the great moments," he said. "I'm leaving with the feeling that I did everything I possibly could to be the best. My passion and love of the game guided me over my career. I played for two of the best organizations in all of sports."
Colorado General Manager Pierre Lacroix met Roy when he was hired as the goaltender's agent during his junior hockey days.
Even as a 17-year-old, Lacroix could tell that Roy was headed for greatness.
"It was obvious, even at the age of 17, that Patrick would be in a league of his own," Lacroix said. "To recognize his abilities was very easy for me."
Lacroix credited Roy with revolutionizing the goaltender position as he made the flopping butterfly style popular during his long career.
"When I say in league of his own, I don't mean only as player," Lacroix said. "Patrick pioneered the new style of goaltender, as evidenced by the two goaltenders competing in the current Stanley Cup finals. Style and creativity will be a part of the game forever because of Patrick Every hockey fan in Colorado and throughout the world will always remember his tremendous accomplishments."
In his nine seasons in Colorado, the Avalanche won two Stanley Cups and reached the Western Conference finals six times. They also set an NHL record with nine straight division titles.
Roy finished his last season with a 2.18 goals-against average and fourth in the league in wins with 35.
