The Calgary Flames shrugged off low preseason expectations to post 45 wins and made the playoffs for the first since 2009. The plucky Flames weren’t content with just being there and proved that in spades by knocking off the favored Vancouver Canucks in six games. Although they were easily dispatched by the Anaheim Ducks in the next round, Calgary served notice that they are an up-and-coming team whose rebuild is clearly starting to pay dividends. One area of need the club still has is on the back end. With plenty of good forwards on the board for the teams picking before them to gobble up, the Flames will get what they need most when they pick in the first round.
With the 15th pick in the Litter Box Cats Mock Draft, the Calgary Flames select:
Jeremy Roy – D Sherbrooke Phoenix
Roy is an offensive defenseman who put up 43 (5G/38A) in 46 games in second season with QMJHL’s Sherbrooke Phoenix. In his first season with the team he scored 44 points in 64 games. Roy’s not big, but manages to play a solid two-way game, evidenced by cutting his plus/minus rating from -29 to -2 in his second major junior season. When the scouts talk about Roy the name Duncan Keith gets mentioned quite a bit. The hefty praise for the young prospect considering that Keith just won the Conn Smythe in unanimous fashion.
Here what EliteProspects Curtis Joe had to say about Roy:
Jeremy Roy is a gifted two-way defenceman that establishes his presence on the ice through playing authoritative hockey, with and without the puck. His absolute and total awareness of other players’ positions on the ice is a testament to his incredible knowledge of the game. Roy possesses the intangibles of maturity and character that can’t be taught, as well as the individual skill that turns heads every time he is on the ice. All-in-all, a highly intelligent defenceman that plays high-percentage hockey and is a catalyst for positive plays in all three zones.
This pick seems like a no-brainer. If Roy is still available, the consensus among those who follow the Flames closely is that they will run to the podium to grab him. Calgary needs to add a gifted defenseman, especially one who shoots right-handed, to its prospect pool and Sherbrooke’s Roy is a perfect fit.
The Edmonton Oilers will select next. While you wait for the pic, k check out some of footage of Jeremy Roy: