NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Jeremy Roy

Get to Know Jérémy Roy

Date of Birth: 5-14-97
Place of Birth: Longueuil, QC, CAN
Ht: 6’0” Wt: 183 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: Defense
Team: Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)

Jérémy Roy turned 18 12 days ago, yet he still led all defensemen on the Sherbrooke Phoenix this season in points with 43 (5g,38a) playing in only 46 games. During the playoffs, he maintained that scoring average with 1 goal and 4 assists in the six-game series. This season wasn’t an anomaly, though. During his rookie season last year, he won the Raymond Lagace Trophy as the League’s Defensive Rookie of the Year by leading all rookie d-men in goals (14), assists (30) and points (44).

Roy has also shined in international competition throughout his young career, winning gold at the 2014 Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament (3 assists) and bronze at the 2015 U18 WJC tournament (3 goals, 1 assist, hat trick) playing for Team Canada.

Statistics

What Scouts See

Elite Prospects, Curtis Joe

Jeremy Roy is a gifted two-way defenceman that establishes his presence on the ice through playing authoritative hockey, with and without the puck. His absolute and total awareness of other players’ positions on the ice is a testament to his incredible knowledge of the game. Roy possesses the intangibles of maturity and character that can’t be taught, as well as the individual skill that turns heads every time he is on the ice. All-in-all, a highly intelligent defenceman that plays high-percentage hockey and is a catalyst for positive plays in all three zones.

Future Considerations (via The Hockey Writers)

An offensively gifted defenseman who is solid in the defensive zone…has a real smooth stride and is pretty mobile…very mature game with strong positioning and smart with the puck…tough to separate from it as he has a heavy stick…makes terrific passes and rarely has anything intercepted…has a good point shot as well and he gets it on net…has the vision and creativity to QB a PP…solid defensively, using his smarts and his strong stick to break up plays and take away chances…uses his strength on defense to play physically down low and contain his man…used in all situations…a big presence on the ice and slows down the play when the puck is on his stick.

What BSN Avalanche Sees

Roy is a complete player who provides not only offensive punch, but also reliable defense. He is highly intelligent and sees plays as they develop with an on-ice awareness that allows him to excel in all three zones. He thinks the game quickly, allowing him to get good positioning on opposing players, and his creativity and puck handling skills make him a constant scoring threat, whether shooting on net himself or setting up a teammate.

He is an extremely talented skater with a smooth stride and impressive foot speed, though he could be more explosive at the start. While his slap shot is not the heaviest, it is accurate and strong. He also has an impressive first pass out of the zone which he utilizes to transition play quickly. His hockey sense is well above average, and he knows when to pinch and when to hang back. Roy is also strong, able to battle in the corners and down low, maintaining control of the puck and pushing opponents off of it. He’s a high possession player and can be used in all situations.

There’s very little weakness to his game save his age. However, his maturity level is beyond his years, so that could easily become a strength. With the right development, Roy could be a game-changer in the NHL.

Highlights

Scouting Reel

NHL Potential

Roy is definitely headed for the NHL. He has a high ceiling and could very well end up a top-pairing defender. His offensive instinct, coupled with defensive reliability, makes him a valuable commodity for any team.

Expected Draft Position

Roy is another player who falls into the dense mid- to late-first round group. He is already a big player, but given his age, he has room to fill out. With his offensive capabilities, that size will only make him even more attractive to teams needing to add quality defensmen. He has the intangibles like maturity and leadership, and he has the potential to make an immediate impact for a team thin on the blueline. Therefore, you might see him go as high as 10th, but don’t expect him to drop much below 23rd.

How Jérémy Roy Fits in Avalanche Organization

In a vacuum, Roy is perfect for the Avalanche. Size, speed, intelligence, offense, dependability, character, responsibility: all hallmarks of what Patrick Roy covets in a player. With a style of play much like Erik Johnson, this is a player who would fit seamlessly into the Avs systems. But this isn’t a vacuum, and the Avs current depth on the right side must be considered. Established players like Johnson, Tyson Barrie, Zach Redmond, and Stefan Elliott all fill that role (to varying degrees), with Johnson and Barrie being the clear one-two punch down that side.

Could Roy end up better than Johnson? Unlikely. Barrie? Sure. But will Roy be the best player available when the Avs make their selection? That will heavily depend on what the team wants. Jeremy Roy would give the team a wealth of talent on the right side, and depending on what the team sees for Elliott and Redmond in the coming years, he might be donning an Avs jersey come draft day. Should he come to Colorado, fans will see the development of a very special player, indeed.