Roy and Allen Hope to Represent QMJHL in Goal for Canada
Olivier Roy of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and Jake Allen of the Montreal Juniors were two of four goaltenders invited to Hockey Canada’s National Junior Team Development Camp August 5-9 in Saskatoon, SK. Roy and Allen were joined by Matt Hackett of the OHL’s Plymouth Whalers and Martin Jones of the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen.
For many years the QMJHL has been considered a hot spot for producing goaltenders and many of their brightest stars regularly suited up for Team Canada at the World Junior Championships. For nine straight years ending in 2004 with Marc-Andre Fleury (Cape Breton), a QMJHL goaltender competed on the team. In four of those years, both goaltenders were from the QMJHL including gold medal teams in 1996 with José Theodore (Hull) and Marc Denis (Chicoutimi), and in 1997 with Denis and Martin Biron (Beauport). Players like Roberto Luongo (Val d’Or), Mathieu Garon (Victoriaville), and Pascal Leclaire (Halifax) also competed.
This year in Saskatoon, Roy and Allen hope to be a part of Canada’s sixth straight gold medal team. The only other QMJHL goaltender to be part of that streak was when Jonathan Bernier (Lewiston) played on the team in 2008.
“The game from the goalie position has changed over the years and there was a time when the French goalies were really dominant” said Team Canada Goaltending Consultant and former NHL goalie Ron Tugnutt. “Since then everyone else has noticed that they need to make a change to catch up to the Quebec League.”
Roy, who was named the QMJHL Rookie of the Year for the 2007-08 season and followed that up with a 35 win season this year and was named the ADT CHL Goaltender of the Week three times.
“I remember the first time I watched this tournament it was with Roberto Luongo in net and he was probably one of the best players in the tournament” said Roy, who hopes to show the coaching staff he belongs on Team Canada. “I think we just need to show the coaches what we can do and just try to work hard in everything. It’s not just about on the ice it is about your attitude off the ice and about being a good teammate. One of the biggest thrills is to represent your country and I want to show that even as an 18-year -old that I can be on this team and realize my dream.”
Allen is no stranger to Team Canada winning a gold medal and being named MVP and top goaltender at the 2008 World Under-18 Championships in Kazan, Russia.
“It’s a huge honour for me just to represent my league and Canada” said Allen, who shared duties with Roy on Team White at the summer development camp. “We are still in competition here and fighting for a spot but he has been playing great, we do our own thing on the ice but off the ice we are great friends.”
“They are extremely competitive goaltenders and I think that brings the best out of them in situations like this, I think they have been very consistent throughout the camp and they are both really strong goalies” added Tugnutt.
Playing his junior hockey in Cape Breton, Roy often looks at the career of Fleury, a former Screaming Eagle, and how he has been successful at every level.
“I try to get the most I can from him and any advice I can take is pretty good for me and what he did was amazing and he was such a solid goaltender in Cape Breton and is a great role model for me” Roy said.
As for Allen, a native of Fredericton, NB, suiting up for Canada would give him an opportunity to be a role model for younger players in the Maritimes.
“There have been a lot of up and coming Maritime players and the programs they have are really developing players for the next level” Allen said. “Hopefully I can give the kids back home a chance to see what they can do.”
For more information on Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence and the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championships please visit www.hockeycanada.ca
Photo of Olivier Roy courtesy of Jeff Vinnick Photography