Rocket forward Roy takes clinical approach to hockey
The hockey player in Kevin Roy believes, at age 28, he still has many productive on-ice years remaining in his body.
But the psychologist in Roy realizes, two months shy of his 29th birthday and in his third complete season in the AHL, he might have reached the point in his career where he'll forever be labelled a minor-leaguer.
“I've played, so I know I can play,” the Laval Rocket forward said after Thursday's practice at Place Bell. “If I were to never play again in the NHL, at least I played. That's always going to be in my back pocket.
“I'm not putting an X on it, but there's chances ... you come to an age, there's younger guys. It's a reality. If that's so, so be it. I'll give it my best, wherever I'm at.”
Despite being only five-foot-nine and 174 pounds, Roy was drafted 97th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in 2012 — his selection coming after four standout college seasons at Northeastern University in Boston, where the Greenfield Park native graduated with a psychology degree.
Roy attended Northeastern following two seasons at Deerfield Academy, a prep school in Deerfield, Mass., followed by a season playing in the USHL. It was a family decision that Roy get an education while playing competitively, so he would have an option if a pro career never materialized.
While Roy did get a 25-game stint with the Ducks during the 2017-18 season, scoring six goals, the majority of his career has been spent in the AHL, playing for San Diego, Springfield, Wilkes-barre/ Scranton and Tuscon. He has displayed a modest offensive touch and provided a steadying influence, always as a top-six forward, but hasn't returned to the NHL.
A free-agent last summer, Roy signed a one-year, one-way AHL contract with Laval, finally bringing him home following years in the U.S. But it also meant he wasn't going to be among the many who have ventured along the well-travelled road this season between Montreal and Laval, due to injuries or COVID-19 related recalls.
Also, there have been bumps along the road with Jean-françois Houle, in his first season as Laval head coach.
Seven times this season — twice within the season's first month — Houle made Roy a healthy scratch, seeking more of a complete game from the player. That, in turn, resulted in numerous off-ice conversations between the two.
Although Roy generally plays on one of the top two lines, he has only eight goals and 23 points in 42 games.
“I always liked that he brought an element of skill,” Houle said. “He can be dangerous at times ... but it was more his defensive play that needed to be cleaned up. It's OK to use your skill, but you have to use it at the right time. You can't turn the puck over. You have to manage your clock and be smart.
“We've had a lot of talks,” he added. “We're trying to get him to play in a positive way and not to cheat on offence. It's all about fixing his defensive game. He's done that ... and has been rewarded. He's not back in the stands. I think he understands what we expect as coaches. Sometimes you have to meet people halfway, build a partnership and work together. He's been good about it.”
At the same time, Roy has understood the importance of playing a 200-foot game while not pressing to produce more offence.
“It's hard sometimes,” he said. “Sometimes in life, things don't go your way. There are guys that have it worse than me and guys that have it better. I'm still grateful for everything that has happened and what I have. If you approach anything in life in that manner — I'm going back to psychology here — it happened for a reason.
“Be positive. Approach every day looking at the bright side.”
Having just completed 14 games in 23 days, weary Rocket players were finally able to catch their breath this week, enjoying two days off before three consecutive practice days. Laval went 6-8 over that stretch — admirable, all things considered — and launches a fivegame homestand Friday night against Hartford (7 p.m., RDS2).
Along with the addition of forward Cédric Paquette after he was placed on waivers by the Canadiens, goaltender Cayden Primeau and winger Jesse Ylönen were reassigned to Laval on Thursday. The Rocket sit third in the North Division at 26-21-3.