The ability to possess an athlete that can virtually play any position you ask of them is invaluable to a coach. Tri-County’s CJ Roy is one such individual that allows his Coach Mark Spillane use him anywhere on the ice at any given time.
“I can ask him to play any position, and he’ll do it without even thinking about it,” the Cougar Coach said. “Early on in his career, he was a defenseman. Last year, we used him on offense, and he really wants to stay there, but he knows we’re shorthanded on the defensive end, so he’s been playing there lately.”
The Franklin native concurs with his coach’s assessment.
“I began playing defense once I got to Tri-County, but I can play any position with the exception of goalie,” Roy said. “Being a utility player is ok with me. It feels good that I can play anywhere on the ice for any team. It gives me the freedom that I don’t have to worry about getting ice time.”
Having grown up and played hockey as long as he could remember in Franklin, Roy had no aspirations of playing for the perennial hometown hockey team.
“I definitely didn’t have the skill set as a freshman and was not good enough to make the Franklin hockey team,” he said. “But I did know that I was good enough to play for Tri-County.”
Lacing up the skates for Tri-County is by no means a slap in the face; they’re just not on the same level as the Panther hockey program, but then again, there’s not that many teams in the state that are. Cougar tryouts were originally stressful for the Franklin resident, but it wasn’t long before he was showing the Tri-County brass that he meant business on the ice.
“During freshman tryouts I had a pit in my stomach at first, but I soon realized that I could skate with these kids,” Roy said. “Making the varsity team was not only a proud moment for me, but one in which I felt comfortable with my ability.”
Prior to Roy’s arrival, the Cougars had not advanced into the Division 3 South Tournament. However, after earning a spot in 2014, Tri-County has been there three straight years and is looking to make it all four of Roy’s high school career this season. After going 9-7, TC defeated East Bridgewater 2-0 in the preliminary round only to lose to Diman1-0 in the next round. As a sophomore, one of the Cougars best season’s on the ice, they were upset by Southeast Regional in the first round after putting together a 14-3 season where they were awarded the number two seed. Last winter, they barely made it into the tournament and were bounced in the Preliminary round 5-1 by Bishop Stang.
After spending the first two campaigns on the defensive side of the ice, Spillane moved Roy to forward, a position he was not only ready to tackle, but one he enjoyed. There he was regarded as a playmaker for the team to get things moving into the offensive zone.
“Playing Central Mass Hockey for the Outlaws out of Hopedale, got me ready for playing offense and made it a smooth transition on the high school level,” Roy said. “I enjoyed my time there and would have liked to continue playing offense this year, but I know that we’re a little short-handed on defense.”
One consolation is that Roy still gets to play on the Tri-County power play, so he is getting his wish to play forward on a limited basis.
Another proud moment in Roy’s hockey career for Tri-County came last winter when he was named as a junior captain for the team, something Coach Spillane doesn’t take lightly.
“CJ is a second year captain for us. I don’t usually give a junior this type of recognition unless they have exemplified they are a great leader,” Spillane said. “I’m looking for him to continue in that leadership role this season and get the team working in the right direction. CJ is always the first one on the ice and the last off, and the team always comes first.”
“I feel very comfortable in a leadership role for this team. I’m looking to get this team back into the tournament with at least wins in two rounds,” he said. “We’re a very young team this year, so I want to really work on helping the younger players improve while bringing this program to the next level.”
In addition to getting this young squad motivated as they go through the regular season and into the tournament, Roy also wants to have fun in his final season as a Cougar. Following high school hockey will probably be an afterthought to Roy. Looking to go into a Criminal Justice Program within the Navy would be too much on his plate to lace up the skates on a regular basis. However, if time permits within his cadet lifestyle, he may play club hockey.
Issue Date:
February, 2017
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