When you hear the name "Roy" in hockey circles, your mind immediately jumps to one of the greatest goaltenders the NHL has ever seen. But if you think Colorado Avalanche forward Nicolas Roy is carrying on the family legacy of Hall of Fame netminder Patrick Roy, you might want to sit down for this one.

Let's clear the ice right away: Nicolas Roy is not related to Patrick Roy. Despite sharing the same iconic last name and both making their mark in professional hockey, their connection ends there. Nicolas—a 6-foot-4 center who was originally selected 96th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2015 NHL Draft—has built a solid career of his own. He was traded midseason from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Colorado Avalanche during the 2025-26 campaign, and now, with a playoff run heating up, fans are understandably curious about his lineage.

It's a natural question. Patrick Roy's legacy as a four-time Stanley Cup champion and one of the most dominant goalies in history looms large. But Nicolas has carved his own path, grinding through the ranks to become a reliable two-way forward. Interestingly, his sister also played hockey, representing Team Quebec at the 2012 National Women's Under-18 Championship—further proof that hockey talent runs in his family, just not in the way most assume.

So next time you see Nicolas Roy wearing the Avalanche sweater, remember: he's not the heir to the Roy throne. He's just another hard-working player making a name for himself—one shift at a time.