Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens Joshua Roy Continuing To Impress Hockey Canada

Published

2 years ago

August 20, 2022

For a player who wasn’t on Canada’s roster in December 2021, Montreal Canadiens prospect Joshua Roy has impressed Hockey Canada this summer.

The recently turned 19-year-old was one of the final cuts last winter before the IIHF abruptly ended the tournament due to Covid-19. This summer, he’s certainly not wasted any time in making an impact, playing a meaningful role for Canada in each game and earning head coach Dave Cameron’s trust along the way.

Initially put on the first line with Mason McTavish and Connor Bedard, Joshua Roy has moved around the lineup a few times, being asked to play different roles, and has looked good in each situation. The youngster has shown his versatility by helping to shut down some of the tournament’s most productive lines, while also making smart and effective plays in the offensive zone. The small details in Roy’s game have made him one of the best even-strength players in the tournament, as whichever line he’s on generates a high number of offensive chances, while allowing almost nothing to the opposition.

3️⃣ points ce soir pour Joshua Roy!#MondialJunior pic.twitter.com/PwzjmIcYw6

— Hockey Canada FR (@HockeyCanada_fr) August 12, 2022

When the unfortunate injury to Ridly Grieg forced Canada to juggle up the lines again, Roy was once again vaulted up to the top line with McTavish against Czechia in the semi-final game. With Islanders prospect and fellow QMJHLer William Dufour on the opposite wing, three of the top CHLers in 2021-202 went to work on dominating the possession of the puck and constantly forcing the puck up ice. Roy continued to make smart plays and cover for his teammates defensively, as he was tasked with shutting down fellow Montreal Canadiens prospect, Jan Mysak; the most productive of Czechia’s forwards. Always one for the dramatic, Roy provided Canada with the clutch goal late in the third period to halt Czechia’s comeback and secure Canada’s place in the finals.

Roy was rewarded for his excellent play by being the most used skater for Team Canada against the Czechs, logging an impressive 23 minutes of ice time in an elimination setting. As Canada marches to the finals, Roy is already assured of finishing the tournament with a point-per-game ratio, having accumulated two goals and five assists in six games thus far. Beyond his stats, Roy has cemented himself as an important player to this roster as it seeks to claim gold once again at the World Juniors, all while assuring himself of a staring role for Canada at the 2023 edition of the tournament this December.