A year ago, Joshua Roy and Logan Mailloux were disappointed to learn that the management of the Montreal Canadiens were selling them to the Laval Rocket after training camp. The scenario repeated itself in 2024, but it was clear on Tuesday that this outcome was much more difficult to accept for these two players who, last year and to different degrees, got a taste of the National Hockey League .
About 24 hours after their demotion to the Habs’ farm club in the American League, the two young and talented hockey players took turns expressing their feelings in a rather monotone tone which, like their physiognomy, in no way concealed their disappointment.
Between Mailloux and Roy, the Quebecer seemed to be the one who had recovered the best during his press scrum with journalists, not far from the team locker room at Place Bell.
“I would say it was more yesterday (Monday). It was a difficult pill to swallow. But this morning, it’s a new beginning. Now, it’s about working on myself, working on my game. My goal is to get back to the top,” first declared Roy, who played 23 games with the Habs last year and who scored nine points including four goals.
“Of course, having played games (in the NHL) last year, I had high expectations. But I’m going to work and it will come back,” he added, when asked if he thought he deserved a position with the Habs during training camp.
For his part, Mailloux still seemed stunned by the decision of the Canadiens’ staff to the point where he couldn’t say if he was surprised or not.
” I don’t know. I wasn’t happy, obviously. You don’t like being demoted. Surprised or not, I’m not too sure, to be honest,” reacted Mailloux, who played just one game with the Canadian last season.
“I never thought that my position (with the Canadian) was 100% assured, but it’s clear that it was my goal. I felt like I did well. But I won’t dwell too much on that. It’s in the past, and I’m looking forward to the big weekend that’s coming,” continued the defender, referring to the Rocket’s first two games, Friday and Saturday in Providence and Springfield.
In their evaluation of their respective performance during training camp and their analysis of the work to be done to deserve a recall, Roy and Mailloux both spoke of consistency.
“In some matches I was good, in others I was not at my best,” admitted Mailloux. “I have to offer this consistency in all matches.”
“Every time I’m on the ice, I have to go at full speed,” said Roy, who also focused on his offensive performance during the preparatory matches.
“My style of play is to create, offensively. I find that I didn’t have the puck touches. It’s about working on that. To be in the NHL, it takes a truly NHL game. I have to work on certain points to one day have an NHL game. »
Internal support
If the disappointment that Roy and Mailloux felt on Tuesday was palpable, it is also understandable, according to forward Brandon Gignac and head coach Pascal Vincent. Also, the two men, in their respective positions, will be there to revive them.
“Of course it’s good for us, but it’s very ‘flat’ for them. These are two guys who are so talented. We will try to help them so that they return as quickly as possible because they are two very good people too,” said Gignac.
For his part, Vincent met the cut players Monday evening – goalkeeper Jakub Dobes and defender Adam Engström were also transferred to the Rocket – and he saw young men with positive attitudes.
“Obviously the guys are a little disappointed all the time. The goal is to play in the National League. But the attitude was excellent,” described the new Rocket head coach.
“We met with them and told them, ‘You have the day to be disappointed, but tomorrow (Tuesday), you show up at the arena, I want you to have a good attitude.’ They were excellent today. »
From one player to another, the extent of the disappointment can be different, Vincent also mentioned.
“The guys spent a lot of time up there. They see themselves there, and if it were different, I wouldn’t understand. For some, the switch turns quickly. For others, it takes a little longer. So, it’s going to be up to us to see how long it takes. »
Also, Vincent believes that the disappointment that players like Roy and Mailloux can experience is legitimate.
“They have the right to be disappointed. They have the right to experience this feeling. For most, this is one of the first times they have been cut off in their lives. It’s okay to be disappointed. But it shouldn’t drag on for too long. »
