ROY'S BACK

Last night in Montreal the Canadiens retired ST.Patricks Number 33. It was a very emotional night for both the Canadiens and Patrick Roy. In front of a sellout Montreal crowd at the Bell Centre, Roy's Banner went up into the rafters with 14 other Montreal Canadiens legends last night. Roy was just 15th Montreal player to have his number retired.

Patrick Roy's Speech:

"Thank you for demanding that we play every game as though it were the last," said Roy. "I will remember more [of] those moments where we shook the Forum, where we shook Montreal."

"Your encouragement and applause goes straight to my heart as you honour me."

Roy, who won two Stanley Cups with the Canadiens and still holds or shares six team records, then joined current Montreal players Saku Koivu and Carey Price for the ceremonial raising of the banner.

"Of course, I will remember the day when I left a little too soon without saying goodbye as I would've liked,"

The night Roy speaks of was a regular-season game between the Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings at the fabled Forum on Dec. 2, 1995. Roy allowed nine goals to the Red Wings, but coach Mario Tremblay refused to pull him from the net.

When the furious goaltender finally left the game, he stormed directly to president Ronald Corey, stating he had played his last game for Montreal.

Roy was traded days later to Colorado, where he won two more Stanley Cups and a third Conn Smythe Trophy award as playoff MVP.

But all was forgiven on Saturday night, with the Montreal faithful giving Roy several standing ovations.

"As you welcome me today as you did on the first day my friends… tonight, I'm coming home," Roy concluded.

Other jerseys hanging from the rafters at the Bell Centre are:

Jacques Plante (No. 1)
Doug Harvey (2)
Jean Beliveau (4)
Bernie Geoffrion (5)
Howie Morenz (7)
Maurice Richard (9)
Guy Lafleur (10)
Yvan Cournoyer and Dickie Moore (12)
Henri Richard (16)
Serge Savard (18)
Larry Robinson (19)
Bob Gainey (23)
Ken Dryden (29)

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Quotes Said By Patrick Roy

(OTHER HOCKEY NEWS)Last night in Toronto Windal Clarks number 17 was retired by The Maple Leafs.