Stéphane Julien admits it, he was teased by several people when Joshua Roy began to shine in numerical inferiority with Team Canada junior, during the holiday season.
Julien coaches Roy with the Sherbrooke Phoenix in the QMJHL and was an assistant coach for Team Canada at the recent World Juniors in Moncton and Halifax.
Roy, who was selected in the fifth round by the Montreal Canadiens in 2021, 150e overall, started the tournament in a supporting role, alongside Zach Dean and Nathan Gaucher.
The native of Saint-Georges-de-Beauce concluded it within the key unit led by sensation Connor Bedard.
Roy notably set the table for Dylan Guenther’s winning goal in extra time in the grand final against the Czech Republic.
“I was impressed by his consistency, from the first day of camp to the final, and his level of competition,” said Julien, Tuesday at the Bell Center, before a tribute to some representatives of the Canadian junior team.
“One of his strengths is that he is never stressed under pressure, added Julien. To have managed to play at this level in the final, when there are millions of people watching, it will help him in his career and to play in Montreal. It is difficult to reproduce such an environment. In terms of emotions, it’s almost like a Stanley Cup semi-final or final. To live that before the next step, the NHL, it can’t hurt.
Even 12 days after the wild final in Halifax, Roy still seemed to be floating on cloud nine with his gold medal around his neck. He hopes the experience will help guide the Phoenix to top honors in the QMJHL.
But Roy especially remembers the chance he had to rub shoulders with a few players who had a taste of the NHL this fall, such as Shane Wright, Brandt Clarke and Guenther.
“They’re pros and they set the example on the ice and off the ice,” Roy said. It’s good for me, for my leadership. I want to bring that back with me with the Phoenix.”
Roy also noted that he got into the habit of stretching more before games.
He therefore continues to develop and acquire good habits, which will help him once he reaches the professionals.
numerical inferiority
Roy even found himself playing in a shorthanded role with Junior Team Canada, something he had never really done before, he insists.
“It went well and that’s another experience I’m going to save,” Roy said.
For his part, Julien was rather proud to see his protege manage in a role with which he was not familiar.
“I think he surprised everyone, me first! I was quite sickened when they asked me why he was not playing shorthanded with the Phoenix, said Julien with a laugh. It shows his ability, his sense of the game and his physical strength. He shows that he can play in all situations.
“He has a higher than average sense of hockey,” added Julien. He must now work on his speed and consistency. Because it’s not easy at the next level with matches and travel. But if he has shown consistency from day 1 of camp to the final during the tournament, it confirms that he will be able to play at the next level soon.
In the meantime, Roy admits that he would like to see the Canadian have the chance to select Bedard first in the next draft and find his accomplice of the World Juniors at the next level.
While Roy tallied five goals and six assists in seven games to finish the tournament ranked fourth in scoring, Bedard rewrote the Canadian Junior Team record book. The 17-year-old finished the event with nine goals and 14 assists.
Although the spotlight was on Bedard, Roy says the Vancouver-area native has been a good leader and a humble player on the team.
“He may look arrogant on the ice, but that’s not who he is,” Roy said. He never talks about himself. He’s down to earth.”
“But everyone saw it. What he has done is very impressive.”
Roy was also impressive. However, he will have to continue to put his hands in the dough in order to be ready for his move to the professionals next fall.
“There’s still a lot of work to do, but I’m on the right track,” he concluded.