Roy is the boy as Sheffield Steelers chase third title

The French Canadian was top scorer and Elite League Player of the Year in his first season, 2014-5.

While his points tally was not as high last season, his contribution to the team’s cause was just as valuable.

Roy is in his final contracted year at the club and official Dave Simms said: “When his time with us is over, he will go down in history and one of our finest ever goalscorers - and a warrior we will always remember.

“I have no doubt he is the most abused forward in the Elite League - he is whacked and chopped every night because his game is based on going into the ‘dirty’ areas that not a lot of other players fancy.

“He is the guy who shields the goalie deflects shots and picks up the rebounds - there is nobody in the Elite League that can compare with him.

“There might be better shooters and set-up players, but nobody is better at getting quick hands to shots and rebounds while being punched on the back of the head.

“It is Paul Thompson’s (coach) to find out which players go on his line to get the best out of him.

“Maybe he will go with Colton Fretter again” said Simms.

“We won’t know yet.

“But hopefully, Mathieu will have rested his body up in the summer and got over the injuries he sustained in helping our club to two successive Elite League championship titles.”