A former Memorial Cup champion and OHL Playoff MVP has announced his retirement following an 18-year professional career.
One-time Kitchener Rangers captain and franchise cornerstone Derek Roy is hanging up the skates at the age of 38, wrapping up a career that included 738 career regular season NHL games and tremendous success on the world stage.
“A special thank you to the Kitchener Rangers, Peter DeBoer, Steve Spott and staff for paving the way,” Roy said in a statement. “You taught me the skills both on and off the ice to succeed, not only in hockey but in life. I will never forget the 2002-03 OHL and Memorial Cup championships. They are great memories that I look forward to sharing with my children sometime down the road.”
Congrats to @Roy9ner on a heck of a career! 👏
At #WorldU17, #WorldJuniors, #IIHFWorlds and the Olympics, we are proud to have played a small part! pic.twitter.com/Jza1OaY7cy
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) May 20, 2021
A 5-foot-9 forward from Clarence-Rockland, Ont., Roy joined the Rangers as a second round pick in the 1999 OHL Priority Selection and quickly made an impact in the OHL, racking up 87 points (34-53–87) in his first season to earn Rookie of the Year honours. He’d go on to record 335 points (147-188–335) over 242 regular season games, good for second in Rangers all-time franchise history. After being a second round pick of the Buffalo Sabres in 2001, he’d guide the Rangers to an OHL title in 2003, earning the Wayne Gretzky ’99’ Award as Playoff MVP. Roy steered the Rangers to a Memorial Cup crown in Quebec City that year, capturing the Stafford Smythe Trophy as tournament MVP.
Roy’s NHL career was spent largely with the Buffalo Sabres before other stops in Dallas, Vancouver, St. Louis, Nashville and Edmonton. He’s played in various leagues across Europe since 2015-16 with his latest stop in Germany’s DEL, posting nine points (4-5–9) in 12 games with EHC Munchen in 2020-21. He won a Swiss Elite League title with SC Bern in 2015-16, scoring the championship game-winning goal.
On the world stage, Roy’s career included three silver medals, earning one for Canada at the 2003 World Juniors in addition to World Championship silver in both 2008 and 2009. He won a Spengler Cup with Canada in 2016 and captured Olympic bronze in 2018.
With his playing career behind him, Roy will have more time to spend with his wife Nancy and newborn son Huxley.
The OHL wishes Derek a very happy retirement and sends congratulations on a tremendous hockey career!
On behalf of Pete DeBoer and myself we would like to congratulate Roysy @Roy9ner on a great career. A first class person, world class player, leader and champion. You were a pleasure to coach with @OHLRangers All the best with future endeavours. pic.twitter.com/hWhMJrnqEa
— Steve Spott (@regal9) May 19, 2021
