"He's one of the greatest goalies in the game's history. When the big games are there, Patrick brings his game to another level. He's exceptional under pressure."

Those words were spoken about Avalanche goalie Patrick Roy by current Colorado coach Bob Hartley, and never have truer words been spoken by anyone. If I were in a one-game, must-win situation, there is no one else I would want between the pipes than Roy.

Roy entered the 1999-2000 season just 36 wins shy of passing Hall of Famer Terry Sawchuk for first place on the all-time list. With the talent he has around him now, that milestone will be one he can easily reach.

When he was selected by Montreal with the 51st overall pick in the 1982 draft, the Canadiens didn't know the gem they had discovered. But they learned pretty quickly.

In his first full season with the big club, Roy was not only named to the All-Rookie team, but also became the youngest player to ever win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP as he led the Canadiens to their first of two Stanley Cup Championships with him between the pipes.

After winning his second Stanley Cup and second Conn Smythe Trophy in 1993, Roy had cemented his place in the record books. But like Wayne Gretzky before him, his success in the city he started with was coming to an end.

In a deal with the Colorado Avalanche on Dec. 6, 1995, the Canadiens sent Roy, along with Mike Keane, to the Mile High City in exchange for Jocelyn Thibault, Martin Rucinsky and Andrei Kovalenko. Of course after the deal, the Canadiens have never made much postseason noise, while the Avs not only won Roy his third Cup, but have been a dominant force ever since.

The next logical question is, what makes this four-time William Jennings and three-time Vezina Trophy winner so good?

That's easy. He loves to play the game. He has a fire that is unmatched by most in the sport, and that gives him an edge. It's like with all great athletes — Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, and Gretzky — Patrick Roy has a will to win that won't die.

Roy is very aggressive between the pipes, and has no problems coming out of the crease to challenge a shot. He is an excellent puck-handler, which can also be his downfall. Sometime Roy gets too aggressive, which can hurt more than it can help. But it's much easier to tone a player down than it is to bring up his energy level.

Roy has his name all over NHL record books. No goalie in NHL history has played in more playoff games or has more playoff wins than Patty.