Roy to Make NHL Debut in Canes' Season Finale

Nicolas Roy was at the theatre Friday with "popcorn, Kit Kats, everything" already in hand, he said. Then, his phone rang.
It was Charlotte Checkers head coach Mike Vellucci delivering the good news: Roy had earned his first call-up to the National Hockey League.
The movie would have to wait.

"It was an unbelievable feeling," Roy said after Saturday's morning skate. "Playing your first NHL game is a dream. I'll be enjoying that and be ready for tonight."

After talking with Vellucci, Roy's first call was to his parents. His dad was at work, though his productivity might have dipped after he heard the news.
"He just couldn't get back to work," Roy said. "He was too excited."
Roy's parents, sister and girlfriend will be in attendance Saturday to see him become the sixth player to make his NHL debut with the Hurricanes this season. He'll center a line with Joakim Nordstrom and a familiar Checkers face, Valentin Zykov, flanking him on either side.
"It will be a proud moment for the family and a really exciting time for him," head coach Bill Peters said. "There's no pressure. Just go out and have fun. I think he'll play well. He looked real good here this morning."
Roy, 21, has recorded 37 points (10g, 27a) in 68 games with the Checkers in his first professional season. The 6-foot-4, 208-pound center, selected by the Canes in the fourth round of the 2015 NHL Draft, notched a career-high four points (1g, 3a) in a big 6-1 win over Lehigh Valley on Wednesday.

"He's come a long way since we originally drafted him," Peters said. "He's filled out. He's a big, strong guy and he's skating real fluid."
When Warren Foegele made his NHL debut with the Hurricanes in the last week of March, he scored a goal in each of his first two games. Tough act to follow.
"I know Warren did an unbelievable job here," Roy said.
Game No. 82 for the Hurricanes will be emotional: Tampa Bay is competing for first place in the Eastern Conference, while the Canes want to end the season with a win. Game No. 1 for Roy will undoubtedly be emotional, as well.
"The first shift, maybe just keep it simple and not put too much pressure on doing something special," Roy said. "Go out there, have fun and keep it simple."