DEV. CAMP DAY #2

Because he’s not a goalie, the name Frederick Roy doesn’t jump out at you on the development camp roster. A 92-point player with the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts last season, the shifty, five-foot-10, center looks like just another camp invitee doing his best to impress Sabres management this week at First Niagara Center. But that’s where his anonymity ends.

Frederick is the son of Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy, who played 18 years with the Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche. These days, Patrick is the co-owner, head coach and general manager of the Remparts, a position that could have made life very interesting for father and son over the past few seasons. However, according to Frederick, it was never an issue.

“We knew that when we got to the rink it was business. I was just another player. At home we are really close, we are really good friends. It’s just that we work well together – he’s a good teacher and I’m a good student.

“He’s taught me one way to play the game – the hard way. It’s 100 percent every time I set foot on that ice; I give my heart and soul to the team I’m playing with.”

This can be an unsettling time of year for someone trying to earn a roster spot with the big club. Whether it’s the NHL Entry Draft, trades or free agency, there’s always seems to be some sort of roster shuffling going on that could affect your future. Corey Tropp explained that no matter how much you need to stay focused on your own personal goals, you can’t help but read or listen to all the offseason chatter.

“You pay attention to it; I’d be lying to you if I wasn’t. But I have a job, and that’s to compete, work my tail off and make the team coming out of camp. That’s what I’m striving for,” explains Tropp, who turns 23 on July 25. “At the end of the day you’ve just to got to think realistically that if you play well enough, and you’re working hard enough, your opportunity is gonna come.”

Tropp knows that he’ll be given every opportunity to possible to compete for a roster spot in training camp, after playing 34 games with the Sabres last season. But he also realizes that it’s not going to be handed to him.

“I think the staff here is very fair. If you perform better than somebody else, you’re gonna get that opportunity, and you’re gonna be that guy that maybe they thought the other guy was. My mindset is to control what I can control. Right now that’s getting myself prepared for September.”

Marcus Foligno

Growing up as the son of an NHL’er, Marcus Foligno has experienced first-hand how quickly a player’s life can be uprooted by a trade. But he was reminded of it again recently when his brother Nick was dealt from Ottawa to Columbus on July 1. The brothers were together when the trade went down, so Marcus was there to see Nick’s immediate reaction.

“He took it well. I think he was shocked really. He loved Ottawa, the city and the community. Nick and his wife were very involved. One of the things about Nick is that he’s really good at public speaking, and he did it a lot in the community. He’d had a good year, but it was just one of those hockey deals. He took it pretty well, and he’s really excited to be with Columbus. They have an organization that’s up and coming. He’s really looking forward to getting there and being a big player for that team. He’s gonna fit well with them.”