QMJHL: A New ROY Dominating

2009 draft-eligible Olivier Roy, Cape Breton's rookie goalie, had a fantastic start this season, going 11-3 with a 2.32 goals-against average and .914 save percentage in his first 15 games. It is a rare occurrence to see a young goalie do so well with one of the youngest teams in any league. Screaming Eagles coach Pascal Vincent, says, "What sets him apart is his ability to read plays, anticipate them and his impressive athleticism."

Roy, who has no ties to Patrick Roy, has the fourth-longest-shutout streak in QMJHL history (167:51) and is now on a list that includes Robert Luongo and José Théodore. This impressive run helped Roy capture QMJHL rookie of the month honours in November. Roy and his team have slowed down recently, as the 16-year-old is now 13-8 in 23 games and has a 2.81 goals-against average with a .896 save percentage. McKeen's recently sat down with Roy and talked about his game, his biggest influence, his jump to the QMJHL, his season to date and thought on the 2009 draft.

McKeen's: Have you always been a goalie?

Roy: Yes. I've always been a goalie since I started playing organised hockey.

McKeen's: Can you tell us where you played before joining Cape Breton?

Roy: I played Batam AAA in Mont-Jolie since it was the nearest to my hometown. Then, I made the Midget AAA team in Rivière-du-Loup where I had a pretty good season. Finally, I was drafted by the Screaming Eagles and I am playing for them this season.

McKeen's: Who has been the biggest influence on your career so far?

Roy: I'd have to say it's my dad. He has been there for me when it goes well or when it doesn't go so well. But I feel I have forged my own path and I hope I will continue doing much the same in the future.

McKeen's: Many thought you would be a QMJHL first round draft pick, including your head coach. You were drafted in the third round. What goes through your head in situations like that?

Roy: It was tough at that particular moment but I accepted it and told myself that I still had the option of going to the U.S. and play. In the end, I chose to play in major junior and up to now, I don't regret my choice one bit.

McKeen's: What is the biggest difference you see when you get to this level of hockey?

Roy: On the ice, there is more traffic in front of the net and the guys don't shoot for nothing. They have a better-shot selection too.

McKeen's: How do you play your position?

Roy: We can say I'm a hybrid-style goalie. I like to play the puck behind the net. I like to control the puck and talk to the defensemen. I try to stay as square to the puck as possible and stop as many as I can.

McKeen's: We have seen you use the pokecheck, do you use it often?

Roy: Well, I try not to let guys near my crease. If it takes a pokecheck or any other move, I'll use it.

McKeen's: There are not many goalies that started 11-3 as a QMJHL rookie. What made you so ready for major juniors?

Roy: I've always been one to think that a shot is a shot. At any level you must always stay very focused and never quit on any given play.

McKeen's: Even if the season is still quite young, what do you think you have to improve on to have even more success in this league?

Roy: When the other team gets a couple of quick goals, I have to make sure to make many consecutive stops after that to give my team time to comeback.

McKeen's: What type of person are you in the room?

Roy: I'm not the most vocal. I sometimes speak but generally, I'm in the corner doing my things. I try not to bother people that much, I'm in my "world".

McKeen's: Can you talk about this young team?

Roy: We are young but very combative. I think everybody comes fully ready and prepared for every game and that compensates for our youth and inexperience.

McKeen's: Do you have a goalie coach?

Roy: We have Scott Goodall with the team and I work a lot with him but I also work with another guy sometimes.

McKeen's: Which NHL goalies do you like and why?

Roy: I like Marty Turco because he too is robot-like and he is good around the net. But I also like Marc-André Fleury for the way he acts and his desire to stop all the pucks.

McKeen's: When you are young as you are, do you let yourself start thinking about draft day even if it is almost two years away?

Roy: No, not really! We still have next season and this one has just started. I just hope I get better as time goes by.

McKeen's: Where would you like to be drafted?

Roy: I wouldn't mind playing for most teams (chuckle). It is any players dream to be drafted in the NHL. When I get drafted, I'll be very happy wherever I am.