Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov, back, of Russia, deflects a shot off the stick of Winnipeg Jets center Bryan Little in the third period of the Avalanche's 3-2 victory in an NHL hockey game in Denver on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (The Associated Press)
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – Colorado Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov is playing a lot like the Hall of Famer who's now coaching him.
Off to a 7-1 start and among the league leaders in goals-against (1.76), Varlamov is thriving in the presence of new coach Patrick Roy.
Roy told Varlamov as much after practice on Wednesday, saying: "When I said how proud I was the way he's bounced back, he had a big smile. He was happy. I think as a player that's what you want to hear from your coach."
Not just any coach, but Roy — one of the best to ever play the position.
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