Beanpot 2013: Northeastern's Kevin Roy ready for the big stage

If you didn't know who Kevin Roy was before, now would be a good time to pick up on this Northeastern freshman sensation.

The 19-year-old from Lac Beauport, Quebec has wowed people since his early years, and has continued that track in his newest venture of collegiate hockey.

And fortunately for the Northeastern Huskies, he skates for them.

Originally committed to Brown University, Roy and his brother Derick switched over to NU in the late summer of 2012, and started this fall as an undeclared freshman. After Brown coach Jerry Keefe--the original recruiter of the two Roy brothers-- moved from Brown over to the Huskies, they seemed to follow en suite.

While Roy noted that it's common to de-commit from a place if there is a coaching change, it seems like Boston might be more of a fit for him anyway where he can experience hockey and the world around him.

"I think it's awesome that we are right close to everything," Roy said when asked about going to Northeastern over another school not in Boston. "I think it's an awesome experience compared to another college where you're more secluded, and I'm having a great time."

Roy shared a little piece of that "great time"' on Monday, when he put up a hat trick at one of the most revered traditions in college hockey--the Beanpot-- to help advance his team past the BU Terriers, and into the Finals against #5 ranked Boston College.

Roy already had 12 goals on the season going into Monday night's game, and has accumulated 30 points in 24 games (15 g, 15 a) and has seven multi-point games this year.

Though the city of Boston and the Husky sweaters are new to Roy this season, he has had the benefit of knowing some familiar faces from the get-go. Freshman Colton Saucerman and sophomore Dax Lauwers were both teammates with Roy last year, playing for the Lincoln Stars in the USHL. While all three play quality minutes for the Huskies, Saucerman and Lauwers know just how skilled Roy really is.

Last year Roy broke records with his numbers through 60 games, with 54 goals and 104 total points in that span. Comparatively, before him the closest in Stars history was 47 goals and 83 total points.

With those stats behind him, Roy is excited about making new history playing in the Beanpot Final this coming Monday. With his trifecta of goals in the semifinal, Roy helped lead Northeastern to its first win over Boston University since 1988--coincidentally the last time the Huskies won the trophy. He also became the first NU player to score a hat trick in the tournament since 2002.

"He's a highly skilled player. He's opportunistic," said Northeastern coach Jim Madigan after Monday night's win. "I said to him before the third period started, 'You've got three in you. There's another one in there.' The bigger the stage for him, the bigger the event, he likes to rise to the occasion."

While his stage has grown a bit since his 13-year-old days, his wow-factor continues to impress and continues to provide Northeastern with some quality offense.

Roy has one of the six goals that the Huskies have scored against Boston College this year in the three games they have played against each other so far and the Eagles hold a 2-1 advantage in those contests.

The last time these two teams met in the Beanpot was back in 2011 when BC took a 7-6 overtime win against the Huskies. But Roy knew coming in that history doesn't have to dictate the future of the school or the team.

"I knew BU had more wins [coming into the Beanpot]," Roy said. "Every year, teams change and you can't look back at the history of what happened."

NU head coach Jim Madigan said the same thing, and, with knowing what it's like to win a Beanpot Championship, knows it's going to take the skill and hard work of his entire team to get them the win on Monday.

"I've been a part of this tournament for a long time and heard all of the facts and figures on how Northeastern hasn't beaten Boston University for 15 years," Madigan said. "The facts and figures don't win hockey games. It's hard work."