Winter Games profile: Derek Roy

Current National Hockey League players may not be lacing up the blades at the Olympics in South Korea, but there are plenty of guys with NHL experience there.

Players on Team Canada’s men’s hockey team have combined to play over 5,500 games in the NHL.

That includes former Kitchener Rangers captain Derek Roy. The 34-year-old, who now plays in the Swedish Hockey League, racked up over 500 points in 700 plus NHL games.

Roy tells 570 NEWS he had a hard time keeping it under wraps when he got the call saying he would be on the Olympic team. “…Called my parents right away and mentioned that I made the team, they were so pumped and excited. They wanted to call everyone right away and tell everyone that I made the team. I had to tell them to hold on and pump the brakes a little bit, cause the team’s not announced yet…It was a special moment for me and my family, we were so excited.”

Speaking of family, Roy’s fiance, parents and oldest brother are all making the trip.

Canada opens play on Thursday, February 15th against Switzerland. Roy will wear an ‘A’ on his sweater as he was just named an alternate captain of the team.

“…I think I’m just worried about this tournament right now, how I’m going to try and help my team win a gold medal, that’s all I have to worry about. Things fall into place when you’re doing well and winning…I think everyone here is on the same page…nobody cares about their personal agenda, everyone is worried about one thing and that’s to win a gold medal.” Roy said when asked about possibly returning to the NHL.

This will mark the fifth time Roy has put on a Team Canada jersey. He won gold with Canada’s Spengler Cup team in 2015.

Roy won an OHL title and Memorial Cup with Kitchener in 2003. He was also named Memorial Cup MVP.

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