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Former NHL goalie great Patrick Roy smiles during a new conference to announce his Montreal Canadiens jersey will be retired, September 11, 2008. The Canadiens will retire the number "33" jersey during a ceremony this season. REUTERS/Shaun Best

MONTREAL (Reuters) - Patrick Roy will have his number 33 retired by the Montreal Canadiens, the team announced on Thursday, ending a bitter falling out between the Hall of Fame netminder and one of the NHL's most storied franchises.

Known as "Saint Patrick" in a city where hockey is a near-religion, Roy played 11 seasons in Montreal, leading the Canadiens to two Stanley Cups in 1986 and 1993 and setting numerous club records.

But his time in Montreal came to a controversial and sudden end in 1995 after he conceded nine goals before being pulled in a 12-1 loss to Detroit.

Believing he had been left in the net to be humiliated by then coach Mario Tremblay, Roy stormed to the bench after finally being removed and immediately went to team president Ronald Corey, who was seated in the stands, telling him that was his last game as a Canadien.

A few days later Roy was traded to the Colorado Avalanche where he finished his career winning two more Stanley Cups.

Roy, 42, who was occasionally seen talking to his posts, will have his jersey raised to the rafters in a pre-game ceremony on November 22 when the Canadiens host the Boston Bruins.

It will be the 15th jersey to be retired by the Canadiens.

(Writing by Steve Keating in Toronto, editing by Dave Thompson)