Patrick Roy parts ways with Avalanche

Patrick Roy resigned as the Colorado Avalanche's head coach and vice president of hockey operations on Thursday, hinting at a rift with the team’s upper management for his unexpected departure.

The Hall of Fame goalie had served in those roles for past three seasons.

“I have thought long and hard over the course of the summer how I might improve this team to give it the depth it needs and bring it to a higher level,” Roy said in a statement. “To achieve this, the vision of the coach and VP (of) Hockey Operations needs to be perfectly aligned with that of the organization. He must also have a say in the decisions that impact the team’s performance. These conditions are not currently met.

“Today I am informing you of my decision to leave the Colorado Avalanche organization. Though it saddens me, I have put much thought about the decision in recent weeks and have come to be fully comfortable with it.”

Roy won the Jack Adams Award that goes to the NHL’s top coach for his work during the 2013-14 season, his first in Colorado as he led the Avs to a division title. But the Avs failed to make the playoffs over the last two seasons.

"Patrick informed me of his decision today," Joe Sakic, the Avalanche's executive vice president and general manager, said in a statement. "We appreciate all he has done for our organization and wish him the best of luck in the future.

"We will begin the search for a new head coach immediately."

Roy, who led Colorado to two Stanley Cup titles as a goalie, compiled 130-92-24 in his three seasons behind the team’s bench. Roy spent the last eight seasons as a player with the Avalanche and had two years remaining on his contract.