Joshua Roy: Lessons learned

MONTREAL -- Joshua Roy doesn't remember exactly how old he was the first time he jumped on an outdoor skating rink with a hockey stick in hand.

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But he'll never forget where.
Located east of the Chaudiere River, Parc du Cap has long provided a sanctuary for the local Saint-Georges de Beauce hockey community. And with it, has emerged one of the most exciting prospects in the Canadiens organization.
It's a familiar story for many Canadians: Hockey was a family affair in the Roy household.
With his two elder brothers Charles-Étienne and Jacob leading the way, Joshua simply couldn't wait to lace them up and experience the sense of freedom involved in zipping up and down the ice as the sun slowly retreated behind the many evergreens that adorn the perimeter of the park.
He wasn't the fastest on the ice, nor the most skilled, though.
In fact, Roy is quick to admit he was probably among the least talented players on the ice, all the while ignoring that he was also the youngest player involved in the endless games of shinny that would last as long as the neighborhood parents would allow.
As the skill discrepancy started to fade, his confidence began to rise, and it quickly became apparent that Joshua possessed a special level of potential, a level that may one day propel him to the highest of heights in the hockey world.

Being the youngest player on the ice was the first time Roy faced a significant challenge in his hockey career, but it was far from the last.
His shot, which is now considered the most potent weapon in his offensive arsenal, was weak according to Roy.
The solution? A sheet of plexiglass, hundreds of summer hours, and thousands upon thousands of shots. He also spent extra time at practice, working with his head coach at the time, Simon Larouche, painting the boards with the family black streaks that appear in almost every rink in Canada.
His conditioning would soon become a point of contention as well, but a change in scenery, as well as an added focus on structure and details, led Roy down a path that resulted in his selection by the Canadiens in the fifth round of the 2021 NHL Draft.
"When he arrived in Sherbrooke, he told the coaching staff he needed more structure, that he wanted to be coached," explained Sherbrooke Phoenix head coach and general manager Stéphane Julien.
They established a detailed game plan that focused on smart nutrition and proper conditioning, two of the biggest lessons most junior hockey players must learn before they're prepared to take the next step.
It's one thing to ask for help, but it's little more than lip service unless the player in question takes the recommendations to heart.
"It wasn't by snapping our fingers that things were going to get back on track for Joshua," explained Julien. "We wanted to see a progression, and that's exactly what we saw.
"Lots of players show up to my office and ask how they can become a better player. We obviously formulate a plan, but it doesn't always work out. Josh took it very seriously, even throughout the summer, as he'd be in contact with assistant coaches to keep the team abreast of his progression. He arrived at camp with Olympic-level conditioning and a fantastic attitude."

The hard work quickly paid off for Roy, who was named to the QMJHL and CHL Team of the Week in late October thanks to his hot start to the season, which includes nine goals and 14 assists in just 13 games.
"His hockey sense is well above average," said Julien. "And I'm not just talking about the team. You can compare him to almost anyone in the Canadian Hockey League, and his hockey sense is still among the best."
His shot remains borderline elite, but he's also diversified his offensive contributions, opening up passing lanes for his teammates thanks to the extra attention opposing defenders pay to him whenever he's on the ice.
Once labeled as a pure goal-scorer, far from the worst label you can receive as a young hockey player, Roy has provided ample evidence that his playmaking ability qualifies him as more than just a sniper.
"Yes, he has a great shot," said Julien. "He's able to find time and space to pick the corners, he's hard to predict from a defensive standpoint, and he has fantastic offensive instincts, but he's also a playmaker. He knows exactly when it's time to shoot or time to pass. And they're smart passes, quality passes that end up setting up teammates in high-danger scoring areas."

The significant improvements in Roy's game aren't particularly surprising.
Oftentimes, we tend to label players at a young age, and those labels, warranted or not, are hard to shake. But it's a flawed way to approach prospect analysis.
The players, for the most part, will improve, as long as they're provided enough help, and pitch in with a healthy dose of hard work.
"We shouldn't panic whenever a young player jumps to the next level," said Julien. "There's so much to learn when you make the jump, whether it's physical conditioning, mental preparation, or everyday training, it takes time and patience.
"Sometimes we focus on the negatives a little too much."

Roy isn't ready to make the jump to the NHL just yet, but again, a sense of patience must take precedence over harsh analysis.
He's improved by leaps and bounds, but more importantly, he's having fun playing hockey, and he's having fun learning.
"I really like hearing constructive criticism," said Roy. "I want to learn."
Like many before him, Roy absorbs as much information as possible for one main reason; he wants his team to win.
That doesn't mean he feels the need to score four goals per game, but he does feel the need to do everything in his power to help his team reach the next level.
"It doesn't matter if I have zero goals or two goals," he said. "I focus on the team only. I want to win. And when I show up, that's my only priority. Yes, goals are important, but I think it's just as important to work incredibly hard, even if you aren't scoring.
"I worked really hard this summer to improve upon my weaknesses, and I think it's paying off."
QMJHL standouts
Roy isn't the only Canadiens prospect turning heads in the QMJHL. Xavier Simoneau, a sixth-round pick in 2021, has started his season in style. The overager has scored seven goals and added 16 assists in just 13 games for the Charlottetown Islanders, joining Roy among the Top 10 scorers in the League.

Riley Kidney continues to impress with the Acadie-Bathurst Titans, shedding the notion that he's only capable of setting up plays in the process. Through 15 games, Kidney has significantly improved his goal-scoring rate from the previous season, notching nine goals. He's also added 12 assists to his season tally.

Farewell to the USHL for Farrell
While there's absolutely no denying Sean Farrell's historic season with the USHL's Chicago Steel was ridiculous, resulting in 29 goals and 72 assists in just 53 games, there were still some questions as he prepared to make the jump to the NCAA.
It's not a matter of doubting the young man. He's clearly among the most talented Canadiens prospects.

But making the jump to a new league, particularly the NCAA, involves an overabundance of information that can often lead to a slow start.
That, however, wasn't the case for Farrell, who amassed five goals and four assists in his first four games with Harvard.
We must temper our expectations for the fourth-round pick in 2020, but given his hot start and penchant for consistently being among the best players on the ice, it's starting to look like Cole Caufield's Draft-day prediction is coming true.

Check back soon as we continue to explore the exciting world of Canadiens prospects with a weekly focus on one player.