HATS OFF FOR WOLVES’ ROY
Forward prospect doubles season total with 3 goals in victory vs. Rampage
Coach Rocky Thompson thinks forward Nicolas Roy has a bright future in the NHL, especially if he continues to produce at the pace he has for the Wolves in the last week.
Roy doubled his season goal total with a hat trick in the Wolves’ 4-1 victory Tuesday against the Rampage at Allstate Arena.
His three goals, which included one on a short-handed breakaway in the second period, came three days after he scored an overtime goal against the Central Divisionleading Admirals.
‘‘I played really good out there to start the season, too, but right now I feel really confident on the ice,’’ said Roy, who also assisted on forward Brandon Pirri’s power-play goal in the third. ‘‘I just have to keep going.’’
Thompson said he thinks the stability of Roy staying in one place for an extended time is playing a huge part in his recent success.
Roy, 22, has been recalled by the Golden Knights seven times this season. He has three points (one goal and two assists) in seven NHL games.
Roy said he’s used to going back and forth between the NHL and the minors, but Thompson said that amount of movement can knock even the mentally toughest player out of sync.
‘‘The tough part for him earlier on is he was always in between,’’ Thompson said. ‘‘He wasn’t here very long, and then he’d be gone. That’s difficult. And even though we play the same way, it is hard to float between it because your mind really isn’t set with one team.’’
Roy has been with the Wolves since Dec. 2. Since that time, he has four goals and four assists, raising his season total to 14 points in 16 American Hockey League games.
‘‘He knows if he comes down here and dominates this level, which we think he can, he’ll be able to translate that with momentum when he gets his next call-up,’’ Thompson said.
Roy’s 6-4 frame and aggressive forechecking ability make him a solid fourth-line center. But Thompson said he thinks Roy is capable of doing more than that at the next level.
‘‘If he can continue to get that offense down here . . . that can push him up the ladder in the National Hockey League and be a player that doesn’t just play on your fourth line on the penalty kill but can move up into a third-line slot and also produce offensively,’’ Thompson said.
Just as Roy has started to find his rhythm in recent games, so have the Wolves. They have won four of their last six games. And though inexperience has been a common theme this season, Thompson said he thinks his team is improving.
‘‘It’s not something that’s clicked overnight,’’ Thompson said. ‘‘We want to be better every day, and we know you can’t climb the mountain in an hour or in a day. But we’re slowly making our way up the hill the right way, and I think the players are starting to see it. There’s a belief there.’’