Mathieu Roy says he was ready to return to ice hockey the day after hanging up his skates as he gets ready for his Elite League return.
The 32-year-old signalled the end of his career last year after four years with Sheffield Steelers, where he picked up two league championship medals and a play-off crown.
But now he’s preparing for a campaign with Glasgow Clan following his hiatus and thanks to the persuasiveness of Clan head coach – and former Steelers team-mate Zack Fitzgerald – the man known as ‘The King’ is looking forward to ruling the roost in Glasgow.
“Fitzy’s a great guy, and now that he’s a coach, he knows exactly what I can do which helped me a lot when it came to deciding,” he said.
“He knows what I can do and it’s good to have a coach I can talk to. He’s always been a positive guy and you need that in the locker room. He’s going to do a great job and the passion he has can help win us games.
“I missed it a lot and every day I was on the websites finding out the latest and I’m ready to go again. I would say I’ve been ready since the day after I retired, but I’ve been training for it and I can’t wait.”
Roy first came to these shores in 2014 after five years with Florida Everblades, with whom he won a Kelly Cup in 2012.
Roy spent four years at Sheffield Steelers, winning two league titles with them (PHOTO: Dean Woolley)
Gerad Adams was the Steelers coach who signed him as Steelers won the first of two consecutive titles, ironically beating then Braehead Clan to the top spot by a point.
A year later, Roy and his team were celebrating again under Paul Thompson with another title as his popularity with the Steelers support grew.
In his four years, he made 260 appearances and racked up impressive numbers, scoring 143 goals and making 147 assists, totalling 290 points.
And he explained why a return to the UK was preferable to him and in particular, Glasgow Clan, taking away the fact his old pal is the coach.
He added: “Glasgow Clan was always a place I was looking to play. I know there’s a good team there with a chance to win a championship so that was why I chose to move there, plus I played with Matt Beca and Scott Pitt in Florida too so it’ll be great to see them on the same team again.
“It’s a great arena and the players we have are good, so I think ‘Fitzy’ and the organisation have done a great job. It’s a difference challenge and I can’t wait to get started.”
“My wife and I loved it in the UK and it was important for us to bring our young daughter to sample the life there and what it was like for us.
“Everyone will know what kind of player and if I’m not able to score, I’ll be there to block shots, but my job is to score and that’s what I want to do in bringing the offence for the Clan.”
