Every day during the 2008 TELUS Cup, hockeycanada.ca will sit down with the captain of one of the six teams competing for Canada’s National Midget Championship.

Today, we sit down with Blizzard du Séminaire Saint-François captain Frédérick Roy.

What does it mean to be the captain of a team at the National Midget Championship?

It’s a great honour. There are lots of great leaders on this team, so it’s an amazing feeling to represent these 20 guys.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of your team?

We’re a team that has had our share of difficulties since last year, but this year our team spirit is great and we’ve really worked well together. This year, everyone is going for the same goal – to win that gold medal.

What was the defining moment for your team so far this season?

In the division final we went to Game 7 after we were up 3-0 against les Gaulois du Collège Antoine Girouard. They were supposed to be the team to beat, and not many people gave us a chance in Game 7. We were down 2-1 going into the third period, but we pulled it out and have been on a roll ever since. It really taught us to never take any game for granted.

What is your team’s style of play?

We’re an offensive team, but we play solid defence. If you’re great defensively, you’re going to score offensively. These games are going to be very close, and the best defensive team is probably going to win.

As captain, what do you try to bring to the ice every game?

I try to bring a lot of leadership on and off the ice, and I bring a lot of energy on the ice. When the team is down a goal, it’s really important to step up at big moments. Whether it’s a big goal or a nice pass or a big check, I try to do all the little things to make sure the team is always focused.

Where do you get your leadership skills from?

Probably my mom and dad, especially my dad (former NHL goaltender Patrick Roy). He was always a great leader (when he played), and he taught me to always be a leader.

What NHL player do you look up to and why?

I look up to Peter Forsberg. Ever since I was a kid, I have loved to see him play. He plays very physically, and he’s a great playmaker.

What is your best asset as a player?

I see the game very well. I never give up, I back check, and I hit. I’m a playmaker. I can put big goals in when needed. I’m not a very big player, but it doesn’t matter, I love to play a physical game.

What is your favourite minor hockey memory?

Peewee AA at the national championship – I scored the overtime goal to give our team the victory in the tier II championship.

What would winning the TELUS Cup mean to you?

It would be number one. We’ve had to work so hard as a team this year, every game was a tough game. Our team went through so much this year. No one believed in us, so winning the TELUS Cup this year would be just phenomenal and amazing. It’s not everyday that a team wins the TELUS Cup. Only one team can win in all of Canada, so it would rank number one by far.