The Checkers signed Hurricanes 2015 draftee Nicolas Roy to an amateur tryout contract for the last couple of games of the season to help combat the injuries the team was facing. Prior to joining the Checkers, Roy played his third season for the Chicoutimi Saguenéens of the QMJHL, and he had his best season yet as a pro. Roy put up ninety points in just sixty-three games for the Saguenéens which is forty points better than the total he finished with last season.
The first thing I noticed while watching Roy play is that he knows how to use his body to his advantage. He has a big frame and he uses every inch of it when he is in the corners of the offensive zone, just like an Eric or Jordan Staal would play on offense. On a couple of occasions he was able to use his back as a shield while he was stuck in a corner with the puck until he found someone up at the point to pass to. Something else that I noticed about Roy, is that he still has work to do on some of his skating skills. Most importantly he needs to work on his acceleration so he will be able to keep up with players on the NHL and AHL levels.
Roy will not be playing for the Checkers next season because he will not be eligible. His best hope if he does not want to play in juniors again is to make the Hurricanes roster out of training camp. Roy most likely will not make the Canes main roster next year, but I think he is player that is oozing with potential. It is easy to why the Hurricanes organization has high hopes for him in the upcoming seasons.
