Matt Roy (ice hockey)

Matt Roy
Roy with the Washington Capitals in 2025
Born	(1995-03-01) March 1, 1995 (age 30) 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

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.

Playing career

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

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

Los Angeles Kings

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

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

Regular season and playoffs

				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
2024–25	Washington Capitals	NHL		69	3	21	24	25		10	0	2	2	2
NHL totals				438	27	103	130	143		28	1	7	8	4

Medal record
Representing   United States
Ice hockey
World Championships
	2021 Latvia

International

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

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

References

1. "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. March 27, 2017. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
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.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from Eliteprospects.com , or  Hockey-Reference.com , or  The Internet Hockey Database