Nicolas Roy is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who serves as a centre for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born in Amos, Quebec, Roy developed his game in northern Quebec before becoming one of the most decorated junior players in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) history. The Carolina Hurricanes selected Roy in the fourth round, 96th overall, at the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. After establishing himself as a two-time QMJHL First All-Star Team selection and winning the Guy Carbonneau Trophy as the league’s best defensive forward, Roy built a steady professional career that culminated in winning the Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023.
Nicolas Roy Early Life and Background
Nicolas Roy was born on February 5, 1997, in Amos, Quebec, Canada, to parents Nick and Lisa Roy. Growing up in the small mining town in northwestern Quebec, Roy was immersed in hockey from an early age. His father, Nick Roy, played a significant role in shaping his son’s career path, while his sister Mélina Roy also pursued ice hockey and represented Team Quebec at the 2012 National Women’s Under-18 Championship.
Roy began playing organized hockey with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies Bantam AA program in the MMBAA during the 2010-11 season. He transitioned to the Quebec Midget AAA league at age 14, joining the Amos Forestiers. In his rookie season with the Forestiers, Roy appeared in 43 regular season games and led the team to the QMAAA quarterfinals. His exceptional performance earned him an invitation to the prestigious Allstate All-Canadians mentorship camp in 2012, a program designed to nurture elite young Canadian hockey talent.
Path to Professional Hockey
Roy’s dominance at the midget AAA level made him the unanimous first overall pick in the 2013 QMJHL Entry Draft. The Cape Breton Screaming Eagles selected him first overall, but Roy and his family made a decisive stance. Prior to the draft, Nick Roy had publicly stated that if his son was selected by Cape Breton, they would explore other options unless his rights were traded to a Quebec-based team. The primary reason was Roy’s desire to attend CEGEP locally in Quebec. When Cape Breton refused to accommodate the request, Roy refused to report to the team.
The situation prompted the Screaming Eagles to trade Roy’s rights to the Chicoutimi Saguenéens on September 6, 2013, in exchange for Chicoutimi’s first-round picks in the 2014, 2015, and 2016 QMJHL drafts. Roy’s refusal to play for his draft team had a lasting impact on the league, as the QMJHL subsequently changed its rules regarding compensatory draft picks for non-reporting players. Roy’s decision demonstrated his strong character and commitment to his personal and academic goals, including attending Cégep de Chicoutimi.
Nicolas Roy Career
Junior Career with Chicoutimi Saguenéens (2013-2017)
Upon joining the Saguenéns, Roy was immediately named an assistant captain for his rookie season. He finished his first QMJHL campaign with 16 goals and 25 assists in 63 regular season games, demonstrating the two-way play that would become his trademark. His sophomore season in 2014-15 proved more successful, as he earned a selection to the CHL Top Prospects Game and set new career highs across all statistical categories.
Leading up to the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Central Scouting Bureau ranked Roy 45th among North American skaters. The Carolina Hurricanes selected him in the fourth round, 96th overall. Upon returning for the 2015-16 season, Roy was named the 31st captain in Saguenéns history, replacing Laurent Dauphin. In his first season wearing the “C,” Roy led all QMJHL skaters in goals and recorded a career-high 90 points in 63 games. At season’s end, he earned QMJHL First All-Star Team honors and signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Carolina.
Roy returned for one more season to complete his major junior eligibility, again being named to the QMJHL First All-Star Team and winning the Guy Carbonneau Trophy as the league’s best defensive forward. His academic success at Cégep de Chicoutimi also earned him recognition as a finalist for the Marcel Robert Trophy, awarded to the best student-athlete in the QMJHL.
Carolina Hurricanes Organization (2017-2019)
Roy joined the Hurricanes organization for the 2017-18 season but began the year with their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, after attending training camp. He recorded 37 points in 68 games, tying for eighth place among AHL rookies. On April 7, 2018, Roy made his NHL debut in the final game of Carolina’s regular season.
The 2018-19 season saw Roy split time between the Checkers and the Hurricanes. With Charlotte, he recorded 36 points in 69 games as the team qualified for the Calder Cup playoffs. In the postseason, Roy elevated his play, recording 15 points including six goals in 19 games as the Checkers captured the Calder Cup championship. His strong playoff performance signaled his readiness for a larger NHL role.
Vegas Golden Knights Breakthrough (2019-2025)
On June 26, 2019, Roy’s career took a significant turn when Carolina traded him to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Erik Haula and a conditional 2021 fifth-round draft pick. Roy joined a Golden Knights team that had reached the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season and was establishing itself as a consistent contender in the Western Conference.
During the 2019-20 season, Roy frequently moved between Vegas and their AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, accounting for 15 of 67 total transactions between the two clubs by December. On October 27, 2019, he scored his first career NHL goal in a 5-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks. The goal, which proved to be the game-winner, came while centering the Knights’ fourth line with Ryan Reaves and William Carrier. Later that season, Roy recorded a goal on a play involving Nick Cousins and Nick Holden, marking the first time three players named Nick had combined on a single goal in NHL history. On April 22, 2020, Roy signed a two-year contract extension worth $750,000 against the salary cap.
Roy’s role with the Golden Knights continued to grow over subsequent seasons, as he became a reliable two-way centre capable of playing in all situations. His versatility, defensive acumen, and consistent scoring made him an invaluable member of the lineup. The peak of his Vegas tenure came in the 2022-23 season when the Golden Knights defeated the Florida Panthers in five games to capture the Stanley Cup, with Roy contributing throughout the playoff run.
Toronto Maple Leafs Era (2025-Present)
On July 1, 2025, Roy was traded from Vegas to the Toronto Maple Leafs as part of a significant roster move that saw the Golden Knights acquire Mitch Marner in a sign-and-trade transaction. Roy joined a Maple Leafs team seeking to build upon its own championship aspirations and provide veteran depth at the centre position.
Driving Style and Strengths
Roy is known as a versatile two-way centre who excels in defensive situations while maintaining the ability to contribute offensively. His 6-foot-4 frame gives him a significant reach advantage in puck battles along the boards and in front of the net. He has earned recognition for his defensive play, winning the Guy Carbonneau Trophy in the QMJHL, which translated to his professional career. Roy’s hockey IQ allows him to excel in multiple roles, from shutdown assignments to power-play time, making him a valuable asset in any lineup configuration.
Notable Events and Milestones
Roy’s career has been defined by several significant milestones. Winning the 2019 Calder Cup with Charlotte marked his first professional championship. His first NHL goal against Anaheim on October 27, 2019, established him as a scoring threat at the highest level. The Stanley Cup victory with Vegas in 2023 represented the pinnacle of his career to that point. Throughout his journey from minor hockey in Amos to NHL regular, Roy has demonstrated the character and commitment that helped him navigate challenges, including his bold decision as a 16-year-old draft pick.
Nicolas Roy Career Wins
Roy has accumulated an impressive collection of championship victories across multiple levels throughout his hockey career. His success began in junior hockey and continued through the professional ranks.
QMJHL and Junior Highlights
At the junior level, Roy was recognized as one of the QMJHL’s top players during his four seasons with the Chicoutimi Saguenéns. His individual accolades include two QMJHL First All-Star Team selections in 2015-16 and 2016-17, along with winning the Guy Carbonneau Trophy as the league’s best defensive forward. He led the QMJHL in goals during his draft-plus-one season and finished with 90 points, the highest single-season point total of his junior career. Roy’s 90 goals that season led all league skaters.
Professional and Stanley Cup Championship
Roy’s most significant professional achievement came with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023 when he captured the Stanley Cup championship. Prior to that, he won the Calder Cup in 2019 with the Charlotte Checkers, the AHL affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes. In that playoff run, Roy recorded 15 points in 19 games, proving instrumental in the championship victory. His NHL career totals include one Stanley Cup championship and one Calder Cup championship.
Other Wins and International Performances
Internationally, Roy represented Canada at multiple levels with considerable success. He won a gold medal at the 2014 Hlinka Gretzky Cup (then known as the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament). He captured a bronze medal at the 2015 IIHF World U18 Championship and a silver medal at the 2017 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. At the 2022 IIHF World Championship, Roy made his senior debut with Team Canada and contributed five points as they earned a silver medal in an overtime loss to Finland.
Nicolas Roy Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Nicolas Roy comes from a family deeply rooted in Canadian hockey. His father, Nick Roy, played a formative role in Nicolas’s development and was unafraid to make bold decisions on his son’s behalf, including the well-publicized stance during the 2013 QMJHL Draft. His mother, Lisa Roy, supported the family’s hockey pursuits throughout. Nicolas’s sister, Mélina Roy, also pursued a career in ice hockey and represented Team Quebec at the 2012 National Women’s Under-18 Championship, demonstrating the family’s multi-generational commitment to the sport.
Personal Life
While Roy maintains a private personal life, his academic achievements during his junior career speak to his character and time management skills. His finalist selection for the Marcel Robert Trophy, awarded to the best student-athlete in the QMJHL, highlights that he balanced elite hockey with strong academic performance at Cégep de Chicoutimi. The decision to refuse reporting to Cape Breton and insist on remaining in Quebec for his CEGEP studies revealed a young man with clear priorities beyond the rink. Now in his ninth professional season, Roy continues to represent the values of hard work and dedication instilled in him during his upbringing in Amos, Quebec.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a new chapter in Nicolas Roy’s career following his mid-season trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs from the Vegas Golden Knights. Joining a franchise with its own championship ambitions, Roy brought his experience from winning the Stanley Cup in 2023 and his reputation as a reliable two-way centre. The Maple Leafs acquired Roy to add depth and versatility to their forward group, particularly at the centre position where his defensive abilities and veteran experience could complement the team’s offensive firepower.
Roy’s integration into the Toronto lineup drew upon the lessons learned during his time in Vegas, where he successfully adapted to a new organization after being traded in 2019. His ability to play multiple roles made him an attractive addition to a Maple Leafs team that had undergone significant roster changes. The transition to a new conference and a larger media market represented another step in Roy’s development as a professional while maintaining the consistent, reliable game that had defined his career.