Regardless of all the incredible stats, records, achievements, and techniques, Saint Patrick (as he is often nicknamed) is like any other human being: an everyday man, a husband to wife Michele, a father to his sons Jonathan, Frederick, and daughter Jana. He is richer than most people he knows, but contributes on a regular basis to charity causes. He also has personal enemies, outside and inside himself, and his struggles with life always meet his limits - like anyone else.

When he was a child, his hero, Quebec Nordique goalie Daniel Bouchard, gave him a stick. Did he kept it secretly in a locked closet? He did more with this treasure: he slept with it every night. From a Nordique fan, he became Montreal Canadiens' fourth choice (51st overall) in the 1984 Entry Draft. From his first NHL game on February 23, 1985 to this day, he let the world see that real talent is in execution.

Butterfly style specialist, recognized for his tics, a powerful mind on the game (players would pay to have it), he added another word beside personal and NHL records: streaks. Control stick to him and whenever he is around, shutouts follow and are usually the consequence for the opponent team. Roy was the Montreal Canadiens pride and assurance for the season and even more for the series. It seems that every goalie respects his almost perfect style. A first Stanley Cup in 1986 brought him the ultimate victory.

In the 1993 Cup Finals against the Los Angeles Kings deep in overtime, Roy stoned Luc Robitaille and froze the puck. Then, he made a legendary eye wink to Tomas Sansdstrom, surely one of the most memorable moments in hockey history. A few years later, in 1993, he did a legendary eye wink to a player as he stopped a puck from getting in. The second Stanley Cup was awesome and all Montrealers remember Roy holding the Cup, screaming, "I am going to Disneyland." Have yourself a nice vacation.

This masked man deserves credit for his mental ability to overcome fear of losing or fear of being a loser. The booing crowds, the opponent's leading score, the time remaining in the period (he often looks at the clock while playing), rebounding, and dangerous pucks shot furiously in his direction by charging players does not seem to affect his mind. His concentration reflects what it should always be: the ability to think about absolutely nothing when it is absolutely necessary. How many players can really do that?

However, besides mental power, does he have any physical courage to show? In the first round on the 1994 playoffs, with appendicitis and having missed the third game of the series vs. Boston, Roy convinced doctors to let him return for game four (on antibiotics). Roy slipped out of the hospital and led the Canadiens to a 5-2 victory, stopping 39 shots. Ouch.

He moved past legendary goalies such as Gump Worsley, Grant Fuhr, Tony Esposito, Jacques Plante, and Terry Sawchuk. About Ken Dryden? Same treatment. Being the fifth player in the NHL to record 50,000 minutes, talk about a long time spent on an ice rink.

He does not seek improvement, it comes all by itself. His body and his mind does not seem to resent the aging process: at 32 or 33-years-old, a goalie's reflexes and body are more demanding. His technique is so efficient that even if the reflexes fade a little at 36, Roy continues to increase his abilities. Who can understand Patrick's steel?

However, like any celebrity, beware of the positive images seen in medias. Although very active and profitable, his life goes hand in hand with superstitions and two specific overwhelming moments where his temper was definitely put to test - challenges he had to face while the world watched.

On December 2, 1995, as the Detroit Red Wings were literally killing the Habs in their hometown, Roy was not able to be removed from the ice. Coach decision, not his. When he finally reached the bench after allowing nine goals to finally be replaced, he disclosed his full temper and mentioned live on television to the stunned Habs President - seated behind the players - that it was his last game in Montreal.

His decision. Not anyone else's. He was traded by Montreal with Mike Keane to Colorado for Jocelyn Thibault, Martin Rucinsky, and Andrei Kovalenko on December 6th, 1995. For some, Roy killed the Habs' spirit. Did someone in the Habs want to break Roy's temper? Stop the rumor machine, the message he sent to the NHL was clear: if you don't stand for something you believe in, you will fall for anything. He did not break. Someone else did.

According to the Oct. 24, 2000 edition of the Denver Post, Patrick and wife Michele were arguing when she dialed 911, but hung up without speaking. It was on October 22, 2000, five days after Roy recorded his 448th victory, an all-time wins record. The media got away with this story like it has rarely been seen before: it was pure speculation from start to finish, Ray Bourque took care of the kids and the whole topic became a juicy one for tabloids, sport psychologists, and domestic violence organizations all over North America.

Violence is not a solution. Granted. But is it really anybody's business what happened in that house? Patrick and Michele were not allowed to escape in privacy. Let it be said that in our society today, the highest form of ignorance is when you talk about something you don't know anything about. From overwhelming, let's now move to real facts about Roy: superstitions.

Roy is probably one of the most superstitious athletes, all sports combined. He does not just follow certain rituals, he breathes with them. Running through his veins, they become an explanation for his wild conduct on the ice, in parties or in life:

• He will not skate on the blue/red lines;
• Writes the names of his kids on his stick before each game;
• Keeps the pucks from his current season shutouts in his locker until the end of the season;
• Before every game, he meticulously lays out each piece of his equipment on the locker room floor and always dresses himself in the same order;
• Between periods, he juggles with a puck and bounces it on the ground. Then he puts it in a special place where no one will find it and makes off with it;
• Has been known to talk to his two goalposts during a game, especially after they make a save for him;
• Skates from the crease up to the blueline, turns around, looks at his net and skates back towards it at full speed, turning to the corner at the last second. Patrick said "When I do that, it makes the net seem smaller. It's pure superstition".

Here are some other facts regarding Roy:

• To wit, on the same day it was announced that Roy would be traded to Colorado, a wing of a children's hospital in Montreal was being named in honor of Patrick.
• He still contributes to the Ronald McDonald House.
• He is a part owner of the QMJHL Quebec Remparts.
• He throws loose pucks to cheering children during a game as David Aebischer goals;
• He is a hockey card collector (has an estimated 85,000), included in the collection are cards dating back to 1911.

Forget the accusations, the blames, the misunderstandings, the unfairness, the domestic disputes, the way Roy is judged as an individual - and as an athlete - is everybody's choice. His baby face partly hidden behind a mask reveals the following statement that could easily be mentioned by himself - as an NHL player, whatever you think of me, whatever fame and glory I am enjoying, whatever goes on in my life, let me be.

"Man is always more than he can know of himself; consequently, his accomplishments, time and again, will come as a surprise to him. - Golo Mann

Have something to say? Visit the message boards and discuss this article. Comments? Agree? Disagree? Send in your feedback about this article.