The Biggest Trade in Hockey History...well, sort of.

"Mario Tremblay and Rejean Houle will have to learn -- and soon -- that you don't treat a thoroughbred like a carthorse." -From La Presse, reporter Rejean Tremblay, on Patrick Roy's trade.

August 9th, 1988. A date which will live in infamy. Without a doubt, the biggest trade in hockey history would be the one that sent Wayne Gretzky with Mike Krushelnyski and Marty McSorley from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, King's First Round picks in 1991, 1993, and cash.

One can make a case that Patrick Roy's trade is second only to that of Gretzky's in terms of magnitude of impact. Roy, the two time Conn Symthe Trophy winner and All-Star goalie for the Montreal Canadiens, was now a member of the Quebec Nordiques....I mean Colorado Avalanche.


On December 2nd, 1995, against the Detriot Red Wings, Roy let in nine goals before his back-up Pat Jablonski was put in. The Habs fan booed Roy and cheered mockingly when he made a save. Final Score: 11-1 Detriot. Roy, one of the toughest competitors in the NHL, is a man full of pride and that horrible night was humilating to him.




Angry at then Canadiens Head Coach Mario Tremblay for not pulling him sooner out of the game, Roy told Canadiens Team President Ronald Corey when Roy reached the bench that he had played his last game for the Habs. "It's either him (Tremblay) or me." Corey and General Manager Rejean Houle worked fast. Four days later, on December 6th, 1995, the news broke out. Roy and Mike Keane were being dealt to the Colorado Avalanche for Andrei Kovalenko, Martin Rucinsky, and Jocelyn Thibault. And with that, Patrick Roy's 11 year career with les bleu, blanc et rouge was over.








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