Famed NHL goalie coach Francois Allaire announced his retirement on Tuesday.
Allaire spent the past 32 years as a goalie coach in the NHL, starting in 1986 with the Montreal Canadiens. He made the announcement on his Facebook page:
It is with great pride and gratitude that, after 32 seasons in professional hockey, I announce my retirement as a goaltending coach.
I would like to salute all the goaltenders I have had the chance to work with, either as a coach or as a teacher at different hockey schools all over the world. I tried, as best I could, to make a difference.
I would also like to thank everyone I have worked with throughout my career, especially my family and friends. Without you, I would not have been able to realize my childhood dream. I am also pleased to see that the goaltending coach profession is now recognized and respected on both professional and amateur levels.
Thank you again; it was an incredible adventure from beginning to end.
Allaire helped usher in the butterfly style of goaltending, which was adopted and made popular by one of his first NHL students, Patrick Roy.
Allaire won two Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens and also spent time with the Anaheim Ducks, where he won another Cup, Toronto Maple Leafs, and ended his career with the Colorado Avalanche.
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