Top Montreal Canadiens Prospect To Make Pro Debut With Laval Rocket

Top Montreal Canadiens prospect Joshua Roy is set to make his pro debut when he suits up for the Laval Rocket on Wednesday night in Game 3 of the AHL Eastern Conference Finals.

According to Le Soleil’s Mikaël Lalancette, will be making his pro debut against the Springfield Thunderbirds in Game 3. Due to an injury to Rocket forward Gabriel Bourque, Roy will draw in and will be on a line with veteran Cedric Paquette and gritty winger Joël Teasdale.

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.

Joshua Roy jouera ce soir avec le Rocket. #lesoleil

— Mikaël Lalancette (@MikLalancette) June 8, 2022

How Is He Eligible?

Despite being 18 years old, Roy was eligible to join the Laval Rocket on their current playoff running by signing an Amateur Try Out (ATO). There is usually a rule which inhibits players from Canadian Major Junior (WHL, OHL and QMJHL) from playing in the AHL at 18 or 19 years of age, but, when the junior clubs of these youngsters are eliminated, they are free to play in the AHL if they sign a ATO. The Montreal Canadiens chose a similar route for fellow 2021 NHL Draft selection Riley Kidney, who signed his Try Out a few weeks ago and has been with the Rocket for two weeks now.

Although Roy is not eligible to play in the AHL next season, as he’ll be 19 years old, this will be a great experience for him to take and learn from to better prepare him for the next step in his hockey career. With the offense being hard to come by on a consistent basis, J-F Houle could likely use some more firepower up front, and having the top QMJHL scorer in Roy at his disposal is a great luxury to have for a coach at this junction of the playoffs.

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 142 points in his last 77 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.