Nicolas Roy
Canadian centre who won the Stanley Cup with Vegas in 2023.
Nicolas Roy, a Canadian professional ice hockey centre, was born on February 5, 1997, in Amos, Quebec. He currently plays for the Colorado Avalanche in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Carolina Hurricanes selected him 96th overall in the 2015 NHL entry draft, and he later won the Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023.
Roy’s junior career with the Chicoutimi Saguenéens in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) was highly productive. Despite being drafted first overall by the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in the 2013 QMJHL entry draft, he refused to play unless his rights were traded to a Quebec-based team. On September 6, 2013, the Screaming Eagles traded him to Chicoutimi in exchange for first-round picks in the 2014, 2015, and 2016 drafts. This standoff prompted the QMJHL to change its rules on compensatory picks for non-reporting players.
In his first season with the Saguenéens, Roy served as an assistant captain and recorded 16 goals and 25 assists in 63 games. The following year, he set new career highs in goals, assists, and points, and was selected for the CHL Top Prospects Game. Ranked 45th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, he was taken by the Hurricanes in the fourth round. Returning to the QMJHL for the 2015–16 season, Roy became team captain, led all QMJHL skaters in goals, and posted a career-high 90 points in 63 games. He led Chicoutimi to the playoffs, where they lost in six games to Cape Breton despite his seven points. At season’s end, he made the QMJHL First All-Star Team and signed a three-year entry-level contract with Carolina, joining their AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, for the remainder of the season.
After two games with the Checkers, Roy trained in his hometown of Amos with kinesiologist Josianne Domingue. He returned to the QMJHL for the 2016–17 season, again earning a spot on the First All-Star Team and winning the Guy Carbonneau Trophy. His academic performance at Cégep de Chicoutimi made him a finalist for the Marcel Robert Trophy, awarded to the QMJHL’s top student-athlete.
Roy began his professional career with the Hurricanes organization. After attending training camp for the 2017–18 season, he was reassigned to the Checkers.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 1997-02-05
- Birth Place
- Amos, Quebec, Canada
- Height Ft
- 6
- Height In
- 4
- Weight Lb
- 200
- Position
- Centre
- Shoots
- Right
- League
- NHL
- Team
- Colorado Avalanche
- Former Teams
- Carolina Hurricanes / Vegas Golden Knights / Toronto Maple Leafs
- Ntl Team
- CAN
- Draft
- 96th overall
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Roy played minor hockey for the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies Bantam AA and began his Quebec midget AAA career at age 14 with the Amos Forestiers. He was the unanimous first overall pick in the 2013 QMJHL draft by the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, but refused to play unless traded to a Quebec-based team. The Screaming Eagles eventually traded him to the Chicoutimi Saguenéens in exchange for three first-round picks. In his rookie QMJHL season, Roy was named an assistant captain and recorded 16 goals and 25 assists. He later served as team captain and led all QMJHL skaters in goals during the 2015–16 season, earning a spot on the QMJHL First All-Star Team.
Roy signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Carolina Hurricanes after the 2015–16 season and joined their AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers. He made his NHL debut on April 7, 2018, in the Hurricanes' final game of the season. In 2019, he helped the Checkers win the Calder Cup. That June, he was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, where he scored his first NHL goal on October 27, 2019. Roy won the Stanley Cup with Vegas in 2023. On July 1, 2025, he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a sign-and-trade deal that sent Mitch Marner to Vegas. After only half a season with Toronto, he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche on March 5, 2026.
Reader's Guide
Nicolas Roy's career is notable for his early refusal to report to the team that drafted him first overall in the QMJHL, a stance that prompted a league rule change regarding compensatory draft picks. His insistence on playing for a Quebec-based team and attending CEGEP locally shaped his junior trajectory. Roy's professional path included a Stanley Cup victory with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023, where he frequently played alongside fellow French speaker Jonathan Marchessault. He was part of a unique NHL moment when he, Nick Cousins, and Nick Holden became the first trio of 'Nicks' to combine on a goal. Roy's trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2025 involved a sign-and-trade deal sending Mitch Marner to Vegas, and his subsequent trade to Colorado after only half a season with Toronto further underscores the transactional nature of his NHL journey. Internationally, Roy represented Canada at multiple junior tournaments and made his senior debut at the 2022 IIHF World Championship, winning a silver medal.
Did You Know?
- Roy was drafted first overall in the 2013 QMJHL draft but refused to play for Cape Breton unless traded to a Quebec team.
- His refusal led to a QMJHL rule change concerning compensatory draft picks for non-reporting players.
- Roy, Nick Cousins, and Nick Holden formed the first trio of 'Nicks' to combine on an NHL goal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Nicolas Roy?
Nicolas Roy is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre born on February 5, 1997, in Amos, Quebec. He developed his game in the QMJHL with the Chicoutimi Saguenéens before moving on to the NHL.
What position does Nicolas Roy play and what is his role?
Roy plays centre, a role that calls for playmaking vision and two-way responsibility. His ability to drive offensive sequences was already apparent during his highly productive junior career with Chicoutimi.
How did Nicolas Roy get into the NHL?
The Carolina Hurricanes picked Roy 96th overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. He had earlier been selected first overall in the 2013 QMJHL entry draft by the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, a move he refused to honour.
What is Nicolas Roy's biggest career achievement?
Roy captured the Stanley Cup as a member of the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023. That championship stands as the defining moment of his professional career so far.
Where does Nicolas Roy currently play?
Roy is currently a member of the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL. He has cycled through several organizations since being drafted by Carolina, including Vegas, before settling in Denver.
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