Montreal Canadiens Sign Joshua Roy to Entry-Level Contract

After a phenomenal season in the QMJHL, the Montreal Canadiens have rewarded Joshua Roy with a three-year entry-level contract effective as of the 2022-2023 season.

The 18-year-old from Saint-Georges De Beauce, Quebec, has had a historic season for the Sherbrooke Phoenix this year, putting up 92 points in just 50 games. The Canadiens selected Roy 150th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft and obliterated even the most optimistic expectations since showing up to the Montreal Canadiens’ Rookie Camp this past Fall. In December, Roy was also part of Team Canada’s selection camp and is on their radar for the upcoming World Junior Championships in 2023.

Les Canadiens s'entendent sur les termes d’un contrat d’entrée de trois saisons avec l'attaquant Joshua Roy (2022-2023 à 2024-2025). #GoHabsGo https://t.co/3HG0TAd8ro

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 30, 2022

What does this mean?

This contract does not kick in before 2022-2023 at the earliest. Joshua Roy would then have to make the Montreal Canadiens out of Training Camp and play more than ten games for the first year of his contract to kick in. Should he be returned to junior before playing ten games, the contract would slide over to the following season (2023-2024). That is due to a clause in the CBA that allows 18 and 19-year-olds to sign contacts while in Canadian Major Junior without burning the first years of their contract without having played a game at the NHL level.

Roy is ineligible to play in the AHL next season. This means that if Joshua Roy doesn’t earn a spot in Montreal’s top-6 next season, he could return to Sherbrooke to play his final season in the QMJHL, likely including a starting role a the 2023 World Junior Championships with Team Canada.

In the meantime, should Sherbrooke be eliminated early this spring from the QMJHL playoffs, Joshua Roy can sign an Amateur Try Out to join the Laval Rocket for the AHL playoffs without prompting his contract into effect.

Joshua Roy Tailor-Made for the Montreal Canadiens

Joshua Roy’s journey has been full of ups and downs in his young career. Going from being selected first overall by the Saint John Sea Dogs in the QMJHL Draft in 2019 to playing third-line minutes as a 17-year-old, to being traded to a new club before his 18th birthday; Roy has had to surmount a ton of expectations, criticism, and obstacles on his way to becoming a top player in the QMJHL.

“He feeds off pressure; it gives him energy during a game. That’s why Joshua will fit well in Montreal."@mndamico brings you an exclusive, two-part story on @CanadiensMTL Joshua Roy's meteoric rise to QMJHL superstardom for the @PhoenixSherbroo .https://t.co/y18vJQGUqs

— Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) March 28, 2022

To learn more about Joshua Roy’s development over the last year, Montreal Hockey Now has an exclusive two-part story with Roy and head coach/general manager of the Sherbrooke Phoenix, Stéphane Julien, highlighting the growth in Roy’s game that has vaulted him into QMJHL superstardom.

Despite putting up 90 points in his last 48 games, offensive numbers that an 18-year-old hasn’t replicated in over a decade, Roy keeps his feet on the ground and puts the team first. His focus remains on the present, with an eye on the future with the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs have a lot to look forward to, as the organization’s youngest prospect continues to grow his game and become a more complete player, one step at a time.

"His hockey sense and ability to make plays are already at the pro-level."

Part 2 of @MTLhockeynow's sit down with #gohabsgo prospect Joshua Roy discussing his experience since being drafted by the Habs, his historic QMJHL season and his future.https://t.co/oen5a8ENlZ

— Marco D'Amico (@mndamico) March 29, 2022