Matthew Alan Roy[1] (born March 1, 1995) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the seventh round, 194th overall, by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

Matt Roy
Roy with the Los Angeles Kings in 2022
Born (1995-03-01) March 1, 1995 (age 29)
Canton, Michigan, U.S.
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 201 lb (91 kg; 14 st 5 lb)
Position Defense
Shoots Right
NHL team
Former teams
Washington Capitals
Los Angeles Kings
National team  United States
NHL draft 194th overall, 2015
Los Angeles Kings
Playing career 2017–present

Playing career

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Roy spent three seasons playing Tier 1 Elite Hockey League hockey with Victory Honda, serving as captain for the U18 team in his last season, before joining the Indiana Ice in the United States Hockey League.[2] He was one of six players on the Indiana Ice from Michigan to win the 2014 Clark Cup.[3] After the Indiana Ice disbanded following the 2013–2014 season, Roy's playing rights were sent to the Dubuque Fighting Saints.[4]

Collegiate

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Roy began his freshman season at Michigan Tech playing in 36 games during the 2014–15 season. His plus-minus rating ranked third amongst freshman in the NCAA as the Huskies ranked second in the conference. After his freshman season, Roy was drafted 194th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.[5]

In his sophomore season, Roy played in 37 games and recorded a then-career high 20 points. He finished the season ranked third among WCHA defensemen in points and was selected for the All-WCHA Second Team.[1] His junior season was also successful offensively, with Roy putting up a career high 23 points and being named to the All-WCHA First Team. He was also the co-winner of the team's MVP award, the Merv Youngs Award.[6]

Professional

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Los Angeles Kings

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Roy during warmups in October 2022.

After completing his junior season with the Michigan Tech Huskies of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, Roy was signed to a two-year, entry-level contract with the Kings on March 27, 2017.[7] He immediately joined the Kings' AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, on an amateur try-out for the remainder of the 2016–17 season.[8]

After attending the Kings training camp, Roy was reassigned to the Reign for the 2018–19 season.[9] On February 16, 2019, Roy was called up to the NHL after playing in 44 games with the Reign.[10] He made his NHL debut that night in a 4–2 loss to the Boston Bruins.[11] Roy recorded his first career assist on Austin Wagner's goal in a 3–1 loss to the Nashville Predators.[12]

Roy suffered a concussion after he was boarded by Minnesota Wild forward Kevin Fiala on January 28, 2021. Fiala was suspended 3 games for the hit from behind.

On March 21, 2021, Roy signed a three-year, $9.45 million contract extension with the Kings.

Washington Capitals

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Following six seasons in the NHL with the Kings, on July 1, 2024, Roy was signed as a free agent to a six-year, $34.5 million contract with the Washington Capitals, carrying an average annual value of $5.75 million.[13]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2011–12 Victory Honda 18U AAA T1EHL 37 1 8 9 28
2012–13 Victory Honda 18U AAA T1EHL 41 12 21 33 62
2012–13 Indiana Ice USHL 10 1 2 3 4
2013–14 Indiana Ice USHL 24 4 5 9 21 12 2 4 6 4
2014–15 Michigan Tech University WCHA 36 0 9 9 22
2015–16 Michigan Tech University WCHA 37 7 13 20 37
2016–17 Michigan Tech University WCHA 42 5 21 26 74
2016–17 Ontario Reign AHL 8 0 1 1 7 2 0 0 0 2
2017–18 Ontario Reign AHL 49 4 13 17 23 4 1 1 2 0
2018–19 Ontario Reign AHL 45 8 21 29 17
2018–19 Los Angeles Kings NHL 25 2 4 6 8
2019–20 Los Angeles Kings NHL 70 4 14 18 10
2020–21 Los Angeles Kings NHL 44 2 8 10 8
2021–22 Los Angeles Kings NHL 67 2 19 21 28 7 0 1 1 0
2022–23 Los Angeles Kings NHL 82 9 17 26 22 6 1 2 3 0
2023–24 Los Angeles Kings NHL 81 5 20 25 42 5 0 2 2 2
NHL totals 369 24 82 106 118 18 1 5 6 2
Medal record
Representing   United States
Ice hockey
World Championships
  2021 Latvia

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2021 United States WC   8 0 1 1 4
Senior totals 8 0 1 1 4

Awards and honours

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Award Year
USHL
Clark Cup (Indiana Ice) 2014
College
WCHA Second All-Star Team 2016
WCHA First All-Star Team 2017

References

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  1. ^ a b "Matt Roy". michigantechhuskies.com. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  2. ^ Braun, Tim (October 1, 2013). "Honda Building Replacement Parts". techhockeyguide.com. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  3. ^ "SIX MICHIGAN NATIVES CAPTURE USHL'S CLARK CUP". pointstreaksites.com. May 21, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  4. ^ "THUNDER WELCOME TWO IN USHL DISPERSAL DRAFT". pointstreak.com. May 23, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  5. ^ "Matt Roy Selected by Kings in 2015 NHL Draft". michigantechhuskies.com. June 28, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  6. ^ "Hockey Announces 2016-17 Team Awards". michigantechhuskies.com. April 3, 2017. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  7. ^ "LA Kings sign Matt Roy to entry-level contract". Los Angeles Kings. 2017-03-27. Retrieved 2019-02-15.
  8. ^ "REIGN ADD DEFENSEMAN MATT ROY". ontarioreign.com. March 27, 2017. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  9. ^ "LA Kings Make Training Camp Roster Moves". NHL.com. September 22, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  10. ^ "LA Kings Recall Defenseman Matt Roy from Ontario Reign". NHL.com. February 16, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  11. ^ Zupke, Curtis (February 16, 2019). "Matt Roy makes big call but Kings can't answer bell in 4-2 loss to Bruins". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  12. ^ @lakingsinsider (March 14, 2019). "Austin Wagner keeps on scorin' goals. 10 for the rookie in 50 games. Clifford receives a big hit from Irwin but holds on long enough along the boards to leave it for Wagner. Eventually worked from Lewis back to Wagner; 1-1. Matt Roy secondary assist for his first career point" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. ^ "Capitals sign Matt Roy". Washington Capitals. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
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