Canadian forward Mathieu Roy has terminated his contract with the Glasgow Clan by mutual consent to pursue a “long-term opportunity in hockey back in North America”.
The 36-year-old exits Braehead Arena with 117 points (64 goals, 53 assists) in 124 appearances for the Clan, who he joined from the Sheffield Steelers in 2019.
In his seven-season stay in the Elite League, Roy posted 326 points (167 goals, 159 assists) in 312 games and developed a reputation as one of the competition’s most productive players.
“Roy was a very important piece to the puzzle, [so] it’s really sad to see him go as he was a forward who played top minutes for us,” explained associate coach Dyson Stevenson. “[But] a very good job opportunity for the future become available to him, he came in and told me of his situation and was very upset with having to leave the team, especially because everything is starting to head in the right direction.
“However, he is a veteran player with a family and he thought it was important to put his family and future first – and I think that is very respectable. He was a player with a ton of experience, who was the first one at the rink every day and would be ready to work when he would take to the ice.
“This is obviously a blow to our line-up, but we have been dealing with advertising [for new players] all season and we won’t stop fighting to make the team the best we possibly can. The organisation and the players respect Roy’s decision to put his family and future first.”
Roy is expected to take on a front office role in North America shortly.
Analysis: Mathieu Roy, ‘The King’, reluctantly leaves the Glasgow Clan
The Glasgow Clan are in a tricky position after the departure of star forward Mathieu Roy, who ranked ninth on the team in average time on ice. He also led the franchise in goals (nine) and points (19) at the quarter-season mark.
It will be difficult for the Clan to replace his offensive production in the middle of the season, especially as they sit bottom of the Elite League with a record of 5-14-3.
However, an amicable split feels like the best solution for both parties.
Roy was a team leader in Glasgow, helping the club emerge from a tumultuous start to the season on and off the ice.
In other words, the two-time league champion should enter his next chapter with no regrets. He was an exceptional player for the Clan and Steelers.
