One of the greatest clutch performers in NHL history, Roy saw his No. 33 raised to the rafters in Montreal 13 years after he played his final game as a member of the Montreal Canadiens.
There was no shortage of symbolism involved in the ceremony, beginning with the date itself, November 22 - or 11/22 - which, when added together, is 33.
Throughout the festivities leading up to the team's Centennial celebration on December 4, 2009, whenever possible, jersey retirements were scheduled on dates that reflected the jersey number of the player being honored. For example, Bob Gainey's No. 23 was retired on Feb. 23, 2008, Ken Dryden's No. 29 was honored on Jan. 29, 2007, and Dickie Moore and Yvan Cournoyer's No. 12s were taken out of circulation on November 12, 2005.
The 14th player to have his jersey retired by the Canadiens in franchise history, Roy still recalls the feeling he had the first time he donned that iconic sweater in 1985.
"It's a privilege to be able to pull on that jersey. The first time I walked into the dressing room, it was impressive. Just looking around the room and soaking in the history that comes with the logo, the players who had worn that jersey before me, the Hall-of-Famers, there's so much history there," shared Roy, who won two Stanley Cups and two Conn Smythe Trophies during his time in Montreal, first as a rookie in 1986 and then again in 1993. "Coming from Quebec, I was proud even just to have an opportunity to try to make the team. From that first day at training camp, wearing that jersey was a dream come true."