A player’s day with the Stanley Cup is more than a time to celebrate, it’s a time to give back to those who have supported him and helped get him to where he is. Nicolas Roy will tell you.
The Vegas Golden Knights forward had 14 hours with the big trophy in his hometown of Amos last Saturday, and he used them wisely. “I’m still a bit on cloud nine,” he says when we reach him on the phone on Thursday afternoon.
In this idea of giving back, Nicolas Roy had priority stops in mind. The first: the Jardins du Patrimoine residence, where his grandmother lives. The latter, from the height of her 84 years, still follows her grandson’s matches when possible, even if 4300 km separate him from her.
“She followed me all the time [au hockey] “says the 26-year-old athlete. “It was important for me to go and show him the Cup. […] For her, coming to see the parade, moving around standing outside, was going to be more difficult. The best way to do it was to go see her at home. »
PHOTO FROM NICOLAS ROY’S INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT
Nicolas Roy poses with the Stanley Cup in Amos
Since it’s not every day that the Stanley Cup comes to the Jardins du Patrimoine – or to Amos, for that matter – his grandmother wasn’t the only one waiting for the local champion to arrive. Many elders had gathered at the entrance.
“I took a picture with my grandmother in front of everyone,” says Roy. She was happy and very emotional. »
The Quebecer then drove towards the community of Pikogan, also known as the Abitibiwinni First Nation. This is where he wanted to start his parade.
“It’s just outside the town of Amos. Throughout the series, on social media, I saw posts from people who encouraged me, followed me, watched my games. There have always been hockey fans there. »
“I think it was a great opportunity to give them a little wink. It took us maybe 15 more minutes. It made them very happy. »
When it comes time to name a highlight of this emotionally charged day, Roy hesitates. Unsurprisingly, there were “so many”, he told us before telling us about the many children who came to meet him.
“I remember when I was a child. I had role models, guys I wanted to follow in their footsteps. To see the children who arrive and look at you with wide eyes… You see that they are impressed, that they see you as their idol. »
The day continued with a family dinner, before ending with a party private with friends. Fourteen hours well invested, what. “If I had to do it again, I would do it the same way. »
New coach
We learned on Wednesday that Quebecer Dominique Ducharme will be back in the National League next season, as assistant coach to Bruce Cassidy with the Golden Knights. Nicolas Roy knows Ducharme well, having had him as head coach with Junior Team Canada in 2017.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, ARCHIVES LA PRESSE
Dominique Ducharme
“I loved him as a coach, he drops as soon as we broach the subject. I have always had good comments from other players about him. »
If the attacker has not “had time” to write to the new assistant since his appointment, he does not hesitate to praise his merits, mentioning among other things his strength for individual tactics.
“By being an assistant coach, I think he will help the attackers and the guys a lot to become better players, whether in practice or to get little advice during matches. He is a guy who communicates very well too. […] We’re lucky to have him in Vegas. »
Ducharme was the Habs’ head coach during the 2021 playoff roster, which ended with a appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals. Of this course, fans especially remember Artturi Lehkonen’s winning goal in the association final against… Vegas.
“I’m going to tease him a bit here! exclaims Roy laughing. […] I think we’ll talk about that a bit! »
Avoid the jinx
There are four years left on Nicolas Roy’s five-year contract with the Golden Knights. Now that his day with the Stanley Cup is behind him, that his celebrations are “done”, he “can look forward,” he said. He has also started training for next season.
A season that, Roy believes, is also going to be exciting, as the team will rely on a formation similar to the one that just won top honors. Another triumph, perhaps?
“It sure would be really fun!” I don’t want to jinx myself either… but I think we’re going to have a great team. »