Roach leaving on a high note
Josh Roach never stopped improving.
He never stopped developing as a hockey player.
Like a fine wine, Roach kept getting better with age.
Now, in his fifth and final season with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, it’s time to uncork that bottle and enjoy one final toast to exceeding expectations, because that is what the Saskatoon minor hockey product has done.
Roach will wrap up his U Sports career with his fourth and final appearance at the University Cup national championship tournament this week in Fredericton, N.B., where No. 6-seeded Saskatchewan will play the No. 3 McGill Redmen in a single elimination quarter-final Friday (4 p.m. Sask. time).
Today, he will be the Canada West representative and finalist for the U Sports national sportsmanship and ability award.
Roach had his best season with the Huskies, scoring 13 goals and 24 assists for 37 points in 27 games during the regular season. That was second-best in the Canada West conference and surpassed Roach’s previous-best 26-point season in 2016-17.
Roach nearly captured the Canada West scoring title this season despite having never having played major junior hockey.
He is one of only two players on the Huskies without Western Hockey League experience. The other is Parker Thomas.
Roach played Junior A hockey with the Humboldt Broncos and Flin Flon Bombers in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.
“Josh Roach earned every opportunity that he got here,” says U of S head coach Dave Adolph. “From the time he’s stepped in, he’s gotten better and better. I think it hurt him not having the success that maybe he wanted on the power play since Christmas — that’s sort of caused him some grief.
“I don’t think there have been too many guys who have exceeded the expectations like he has every year. He’s had a great five years. It remains to be seen how he finishes it. I hope he doesn’t forget how hard he’s worked to get where he’s got.”
Roach’s plus-19 rating was the best of any Canada West player not playing for the Alberta Golden Bears.
“He kept getting better in the classroom and on the ice each and every year,” Adolph added. “Finding quality five-year studentathletes is the key to most teams’ success in the Canada West and we had that with Josh. He has made our team better with his competitive drive and his willingness to improve every year.”
Three other Huskies are national finalists for major U Sports awards.
Jordon Cooke is up for U Sports men’s hockey goalie of the year for a third straight year.
Kendall McFaull is the Canada West nominee for the U Sports student-athlete and community service award.
Meanwhile, Jessica Vance is a finalist for the U Sports women’s hockey goalie of the year award at the national women’s hockey championship in London, Ont., where Saskatchewan plays the Saint Mary ’s Huskies on Thursday afternoon.