Denver ? Colorado’s Patrick Roy is retiring, ending the 18-year career of one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history.

Roy will make the announcement at a news conference today, team spokesman Jean Martineau said.

A four-time Stanley Cup champion, Roy leaves as the NHL’s career leader in victories with 551 and games played with 1,029. He also is the all-time leader in playoff victories, games played and shutouts.

Roy is still considered one of the best goalies in the game at age 37, but he has been bothered by arthritic hips the past few years.

“It’s going to be sad for hockey,” Anaheim goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere said Tuesday. “He’s a great goaltender, probably the best that’s ever played.”

Roy won two Stanley Cups each with Montreal and Colorado, and is the only three-time winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the MVP of the playoffs.