The Nipissing Lakers men’s hockey team has bolstered an important position, looking to the future as the 2021-22 season remains on pause.
The Lakers have signed local product, goalie Zach Roy, who will join the Lakers after wrapping up his junior career in the OJHL.
Currently, the North Bay, ON native is playing for the Pickering Panthers.
Roy, a 2017 fourth round selection of the Hamilton Bulldogs, spent two seasons in the OHL with the Bulldogs along with his rookie junior hockey campaign with the Rockland Nationals of the CCHL.
The combination of athletics and academics was what drew Roy to Nipissing, as well as the ability to play hockey in his hometown while gaining an education.
“I chose Nipissing because of the quality of their academics and hockey program and great coach in Mike McParland,” Roy explained.
“Nipissing offers the academic program I was looking for and at the same time I get to play in my hometown.”
Roy has also attended the U17 Hockey Canada goaltending Program of Excellence and earned a spot on the 2018 OHL second all-rookie team.
This season Roy was named the OJHL goalie of the month in November,2021.
He’s looking forward to new challenge when he hits the ice with the Lakers in the fall.
“I want us to be a competitive playoff team pushing to win an OUA championship. And personally, for me to be one of the best goalies in the league and give my team a chance to win every game,” Roy said of expectations for next season.
Roy is confident his style and strengths will translate to success at the OUA level.
“I’m an athletic/butterfly style goalie, with a good glove and strong puck playing ability,” he said.
Lakers head coach Mike McParland said the addition of Roy is a big one for his program and he’s looking forward to see him between the pipes when the 2022-23 season begins.
“We are very happy to add a goalie of Zach's quality,” McParland said.
“With Brett Epp having turned pro and Francis Asselin graduating, this was a very important position to fill. With Zach joining Michael Herringer we are very solid in goal.”
