Joshua Roy keeps things simple, keeps scoring

MONTREAL -- He may be leading the QMJHL in scoring, but things haven't always gone smoothly for Joshua Roy.

The first overall pick in the QMJHL Draft was greeted with a significant reality check once he arrived in the League.
He simply wasn't in peak physical shape, an issue many prospects blessed with an abundance of talent need to face at one point or another in their career.
Coasting on talent alone will get you far, but not far enough.
"My conditioning has made all the difference," said Roy. "When I arrived in Sherbrooke, I was out of shape. I realized I was lagging behind in that respect, and it was a red flag. I needed to improve my conditioning and I worked to do that. It's been the key to my success this season."

And while the coaching staff in Sherbrooke certainly deserves some credit, notably head coach Stéphane Julien's emphasis on fostering a positive, nurturing environment, it was Roy himself who took the first step on the road to excellence. He asked his coches to devise a development plan that would keep him on the straight and narrow.
The results are astounding.
Not only is Roy in better shape, and consequently improved his state of mind, but he's also enjoying one of the most productive seasons in the entire CHL.
With 32 goals and 52 assists in 43 games, Roy's on pace for a 49-goal, 80-assist pro-rated season.
It's the type of campaign that forces fans and scouts alike to readjust their expectations, or perhaps even drop their preconceived notions of certain players.
"Sometimes we focus on the negatives a little too much," said Julien. "There's so much to learn when you make the jump, whether it's physical conditioning, mental preparation, or everyday training. It takes time and patience."

Roy, who was selected in the fifth round, 150th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, clearly had some conditioning issues in his first year of Junior hockey, but there was an undeniable amount of potential available, potential that didn't take long to surface.
"I didn't necessarily have any expectations prior to the Draft," said Roy. "I just wanted to land in a good organization, which I did. But, I did start to worry a little by the time the fourth round was over. Going in the fifth round serves as motivation for me. I want to prove the Canadiens right for believing in my potential, and I want to prove the other 31 teams wrong for ignoring it."
Beyond the trust of the Canadiens organization and the help of the Sherbrooke coaching staff, Roy also credits his brothers, Charles-Étienne and Jacob, not to mention his parents, Sandra and Paulin, for giving him all the love and support necessary to make it to the next level.
"When I was younger, I never really had to work all that hard, I'll admit it. I wasn't at my best. But now, with the support of everyone around me, I've evolved into a much better player," noted Roy. "I wouldn't change anything about my past. It was a journey that taught me many valuable lessons."
Roy, who keeps a close eye on the Habs whenever he isn't lighting the lamp for the Phoenix, admits that taking to the ice at the Bell Centre while donning the Bleu, Blanc et Rouge is a dream that will never die.

He sees players like Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield and hopes that he may one day be a part of that exciting youth movement.
For now, though, he knows his journey is far from over.
"Playing with those two would be incredible, but I need to go step-by-step," said Roy. "I need to finish the season here, eventually make it to the Laval Rocket, and then, one day, hopefully play for the Montreal Canadiens."
It's a healthy, realistic approach. Nevertheless, he understands he needs to progress to earn a roster spot with the CH.
But given Roy's penchant for improvement, he'll undoubtedly be prepared to make any adjustment to earn a chance at living his NHL dream.