Team Canada coaches tried an interesting experiment at the recent World Junior Championships: using Joshua Roy, who was shorthanded. This was crowned with success.

“It was pretty much the first time in my life that I’ve played handless,” the main prospect told media in the Bell Center press conference room Tuesday before the Montreal Canadiens vs. Winnipeg Jets game. Roy was to be honored on the ice with other gold medalists from the Canadian delegation.

Stéphane Julien, who was one of Dennis Williams’ assistants behind the Canadian bench at the tournament, didn’t even deign to use Roy in this situation with the Sherbrooke Phoenix. Let’s say he tasted it when his foal was doing very well!

“He surprised everyone, me first. I got pretty mad. I was told, “Why didn’t you play him shorthanded?!” It shows his hockey sense and physical strength. He has shown that he can play in all situations.

It’s another mainstay for Roy, who turns pro next year. During this tournament he will have demonstrated some things that bode well for a possible career in the National Hockey League.

“Josh, from day one to the end I never felt like he was stressed. If you look at what it takes to play in Montreal, that shows his ability to handle it all…” argued the hockey player.

Roy also appeared physically mature.

“That’s not a guy you put on your butt that easily,” Julien said.

The famous speed

The sinews of war have always been famed speed for Roy. That’s his weak point. He knows it. He needs to improve that if he wants to establish himself with the Canadians.

“Calm down, it’ll get better,” remarked the main contributor. you look at mine Game since the beginning of the year and the ones I had at the last tournament and I think it’s a lot better. I’m still working on it and I still have a lot of work to do, but I’m on the right track.”

The Beauceron had limited opportunities to hit the gym last summer: QMJHL semifinals with the Phoenix, playoffs with the Laval Rocket, World Junior Championships in Edmonton in August… He’s been pretty busy. The next off-season will be crucial.

“He will need a good summer of training,” said Stéphane Julien. He still has one gap physically catching up, but I’m not worried that he will match what he did at the World Junior Championships at a different level.

Anyway, we’re light years away from the young man who arrived at Sherbrooke overweight after being trafficked by the Saint-Jean Sea Dogs.

“When he arrived he was the guy who arrived last at the skating sessions, now he’s the first,” reveals Julien. He’s on the right track.”