Last Updated on November 12, 2026 by Janet Asprin
Matt Roy is an American professional ice hockey player who plays as a defenseman for the Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on March 1, 1995, in Southfield, Michigan, Roy grew up in Canton, Michigan, where his family supported his passion for hockey from childhood.
Beyond his NHL career, Roy is a husband and father. He is married to Linsey Roy (née Palise), and the couple welcomed their son, Nico Roy, in January 2024. His parents are Rich Roy and Julie Roy, and he has two siblings: an older brother named Chris Roy and a younger sister named Megan Roy.
His family has played an important role in his development, from his childhood in Michigan to his collegiate hockey career at Michigan Tech and his professional achievements with the Los Angeles Kings and Washington Capitals.
Matt Roy’s Wife: Who Is He Married To?
Matt Roy is married to Linsey Roy, formerly Linsey Palise, his longtime partner and childhood sweetheart.
The couple began dating during their high school years in Canton, Michigan, long before Matt established himself as an NHL defenseman.
According to their wedding website, Linsey had developed a crush on Matt as early as sixth grade.
They eventually began dating during their junior year of high school and continued their relationship as Matt pursued opportunities in college and professional hockey.
Linsey supported him while he played for Michigan Technological University and later during his professional career with the Ontario Reign and Los Angeles Kings.
Throughout their relationship, the couple maintained strong connections to their hometown and families in Michigan.
When Did Matt Roy and Linsey Palise Get Married?
Matt Roy and Linsey Palise married in July 2020.
Their wedding website lists July 18, 2020, as their wedding date, with the celebration planned for Plymouth, Michigan.
The couple’s wedding party included close friends, relatives, and several people connected to Matt’s hockey career.
Matt’s older brother, Chris Roy, served as his best man, while his younger sister, Megan Roy, was a bridesmaid.
Linsey’s brother, Joe Palise, also participated as a groomsman.
Another notable member of the wedding party was NHL goaltender Cal Petersen, who had played alongside Matt in the Los Angeles Kings organization.
Matt and Cal developed a close friendship while playing for the Ontario Reign in the American Hockey League.
The wedding website also included former Michigan Tech teammates Shane Hanna, Dylan Steman, and Dane Birks among the groomsmen.
The celebration reflected the couple’s longstanding relationship and the friendships they developed throughout their lives.
Who Is Linsey Roy?
Linsey Roy is Matt Roy’s wife and a longtime supporter of his hockey career.
She grew up in Michigan and attended high school alongside Matt.
According to information shared by friends on the couple’s wedding website, Linsey later attended Grand Valley State University, where she studied and developed friendships with classmates.
One of her bridesmaids described their shared college experiences and referred to their demanding academic studies.
Linsey has also been associated with healthcare-related studies, although reliable public information about her current occupation is limited.
She has supported Matt through important changes in his professional life, including his transition from the Los Angeles Kings to the Washington Capitals.
In July 2024, Roy discussed joining Washington during an appearance on the Dropping the Gloves podcast.
He explained that he and Linsey were ready for a new experience after spending several years in California.
He also described Washington as an attractive destination because of the organization, its players, and the surrounding community.
His decision to join the Capitals was therefore influenced partly by what he and his wife wanted for their family.
Matt Roy’s Children: How Many Kids Does He Have?
Matt Roy and his wife Linsey have one publicly confirmed living child, a son named Nico Roy.
The couple welcomed Nico in January 2024, while Matt was playing for the Los Angeles Kings.
Nico Roy – Matt Roy’s Son
Nico Roy was born in January 2024.
His arrival marked an important milestone for Matt and Linsey as they became parents.
The couple had previously experienced pregnancy losses, making the birth of their son particularly meaningful.
In October 2023, Linsey publicly discussed their experiences with miscarriages and the emotional challenges they had faced while trying to start a family.
She explained that their experiences had changed how they viewed family, personal priorities, and emotional support.
When Nico arrived in January 2024, the couple celebrated becoming parents and beginning a new chapter together.
The family subsequently relocated to the Washington, D.C., area after Matt signed with the Capitals in July 2024.
Although Nico has been mentioned in public reporting about the family, Matt and Linsey generally maintain privacy regarding their son’s everyday life.
Matt and Linsey Roy’s Pregnancy Loss
In April 2025, Matt and Linsey publicly shared that they had experienced another pregnancy loss.
On April 4, 2025, Russian Machine Never Breaks reported that Linsey had announced a miscarriage through Instagram.
The couple had been expecting a baby girl and were looking forward to giving Nico a younger sibling.
Linsey explained that she wanted to share their experience to help other people who had faced similar losses feel less isolated.
She also expressed gratitude for having Nico while acknowledging the grief associated with losing a wanted pregnancy.
The couple had previously experienced three pregnancy losses before Nico’s birth.
Matt temporarily stepped away from the Washington Capitals during the first week of April 2025 to spend time with his family.
He missed games against the Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes before returning to the lineup against the Chicago Blackhawks on April 4.
Several members of the Capitals community expressed their support, including Gina Carlson, the wife of John Carlson, and Paige Dowd, the wife of Nic Dowd.
Linsey’s decision to share the family’s experience brought attention to pregnancy loss and the importance of support for affected families.
No additional living children have been reliably confirmed in subsequent public reporting.
Matt Roy’s Parents: Meet Rich and Julie Roy
Matt Roy was raised by his parents, Rich Roy and Julie Roy, in Canton, Michigan.
Both parents are identified in his official Michigan Tech Athletics biography.
They raised three children and supported Matt’s development through local youth hockey, high school competition, and college athletics.
In April 2017, the Canton Observer published a family photograph showing Rich, Julie, Chris, Megan, Matt, and his then-girlfriend Linsey celebrating Michigan Tech’s Western Collegiate Hockey Association championship.
Matt Roy’s Father: Rich Roy
Rich Roy is Matt Roy’s father and a former college basketball player.
According to Michigan Tech’s official player biography, Rich played basketball at Madonna University in Michigan.
His experience in competitive college athletics helped him understand the commitment required to succeed in sports.
Although Matt pursued ice hockey rather than basketball, Rich supported his son’s athletic ambitions throughout childhood.
Matt began skating when he was approximately five years old with the Plymouth Sharks at the Plymouth Cultural Center.
His father encouraged him as he progressed through youth hockey programs in Michigan.
Matt later played competitive AAA hockey with organizations including Honeybaked, Belle Tire, and Victory Honda.
In April 2017, Rich spoke to the Canton Observer after Matt signed his first professional contract with the Los Angeles Kings.
He expressed pride in his son’s accomplishments and acknowledged the years of effort required to reach that milestone.
Rich explained that playing professional hockey had been one of Matt’s ambitions since childhood.
His father’s encouragement helped Matt develop the determination required to progress through college hockey and the minor leagues before reaching the NHL.
Matt Roy’s Mother: Julie Roy
Julie Roy is Matt Roy’s mother.
Julie helped raise Matt, Chris, and Megan in Canton, Michigan.
She supported the family’s athletic activities and celebrated Matt’s achievements throughout his early hockey career.
Her name appears in Matt’s official Michigan Tech Athletics biography, which identifies him as the son of Rich and Julie Roy.
In April 2017, Julie appeared alongside other family members in a photograph published by the Canton Observer.
The photograph was taken after Michigan Tech won the WCHA championship and secured a place in the NCAA hockey tournament.
Julie was pictured with her husband, children, and Linsey Palise, demonstrating the family’s involvement in Matt’s hockey achievements.
Although Julie has generally maintained a private public profile, her support has been part of Matt’s journey from local hockey in Michigan to professional competition.
Reliable public reporting provides limited additional information about her occupation or personal interests.
Matt Roy’s Siblings: Meet Chris and Megan Roy
Matt Roy has two siblings: an older brother named Chris Roy and a younger sister named Megan Roy.
His official Michigan Tech Athletics biography confirms that he has one older brother and one younger sister.
The siblings’ names are further established through the Roy family’s wedding website and a 2017 Canton Observer report.
Chris Roy – Matt Roy’s Older Brother
Chris Roy is Matt Roy’s older brother.
Chris played ice hockey during his younger years and was one of the people who inspired Matt to pursue the sport.
In a personal message published on his wedding website, Matt described Chris as someone he had admired throughout childhood.
He explained that he frequently tried to participate in games and activities with Chris and his friends.
Watching his older brother play hockey helped motivate Matt to develop his own skating and athletic abilities.
Chris’s influence was especially meaningful because Matt grew up surrounded by competitive sports.
According to the wedding website, Chris was working as a firefighter in Ann Arbor, Michigan, around the time of Matt and Linsey’s 2020 wedding.
Matt expressed admiration for his brother’s career and the support he continued providing.
Chris served as the best man at Matt’s wedding, reflecting their close relationship.
He has also joined other family members in celebrating Matt’s hockey achievements, including his successful college career at Michigan Tech.
Megan Roy – Matt Roy’s Younger Sister
Megan Roy is Matt Roy’s younger sister.
She grew up alongside Matt and Chris in Canton, Michigan.
Megan has maintained a close relationship with her older brother and his wife Linsey.
According to a message Megan shared on the couple’s wedding website, she first met Linsey while attending high school.
Megan was a freshman when Linsey was a junior, and the two developed a friendship that continued after Linsey began dating Matt.
She described Linsey as someone who had been present throughout much of the family’s life.
Megan was selected as a bridesmaid for Matt and Linsey’s July 2020 wedding.
In her wedding message, she expressed happiness about officially welcoming Linsey into the Roy family.
Megan also appeared in the 2017 Canton Observer family photograph celebrating Matt’s college hockey accomplishments.
Although her relationship with Matt is publicly documented, reliable information about her current occupation and personal life remains limited.
Matt Roy’s Extended Family and Personal Connections
Through his marriage to Linsey, Matt also has family connections to the Palise family.
Linsey’s younger sister is Erica Palise, who participated in the couple’s wedding as a bridesmaid.
Her brother, Joe Palise, served as a groomsman.
On the wedding website, Matt described Joe as a supportive brother-in-law and expressed appreciation for their relationship.
The Roys also developed close friendships within professional hockey.
During his time with the Ontario Reign and Los Angeles Kings, Matt became close friends with goaltender Cal Petersen.
Petersen participated in Matt’s wedding and was named the godfather of the couple’s dog, Kenni, according to the wedding website.
These connections demonstrate the importance of longstanding friendships in Matt’s personal life.
How Matt Roy’s Family Influenced His Hockey Career
Matt Roy grew up in Canton, Michigan, where he began developing his skating skills at approximately five years old.
His older brother Chris helped inspire his early interest in hockey, while his parents supported his participation in competitive youth leagues.
Roy attended Canton High School, graduating in 2013.
He subsequently played junior hockey for the Indiana Ice in the United States Hockey League.
During the 2013-14 season, he helped Indiana win the Clark Cup championship.
He then joined Michigan Technological University, where he became one of the team’s leading defensemen.
During the 2015-16 season, Roy recorded seven goals and 13 assists in 37 games.
He earned All-WCHA Second Team honors and was recognized as one of Michigan Tech’s outstanding defensive players.
In the 2016-17 season, he helped the Huskies win the WCHA championship and reach the NCAA tournament.
His family celebrated the achievement before he decided to begin his professional career.
Matt Roy’s NHL Career and His Move to Washington
Matt Roy was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the seventh round, 194th overall, of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
After completing three seasons at Michigan Tech, he signed with the Kings in April 2017.
He began his professional career with the Ontario Reign in the American Hockey League.
Roy made his NHL debut on February 16, 2019, against the Boston Bruins.
Over the following seasons, he established himself as a reliable, defensively responsible player for Los Angeles.
His strengths included shot blocking, physical play, penalty killing, and defending against opposing teams’ leading forwards.
On July 1, 2024, Roy signed a six-year, $34.5 million contract with the Washington Capitals.
The agreement carried an average annual value of $5.75 million.
He explained that the decision to move to Washington was influenced by both professional opportunities and the couple’s desire for a new experience after living in California.
Roy subsequently became an important part of Washington’s defensive lineup, frequently playing alongside Martin Fehervary and Rasmus Sandin.
His professional stability has allowed him to continue supporting his family while competing at the highest level of hockey.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matt Roy’s Family
Who is Matt Roy’s wife?
Matt Roy is married to Linsey Roy, formerly Linsey Palise. The couple began dating during high school and married in July 2020.
Who was Matt Roy’s girlfriend?
Matt Roy’s longtime girlfriend was Linsey Palise, whom he later married. Their relationship began during their high school years in Michigan.
Is Matt Roy married?
Yes. Matt Roy married Linsey Palise in July 2020.
Does Matt Roy have children?
Yes. Matt Roy and Linsey have one publicly confirmed living child, a son named Nico Roy, who was born in January 2024.
Who is Matt Roy’s son?
His son is Nico Roy, born in January 2024 while Matt was playing for the Los Angeles Kings.
Have Matt Roy and his wife experienced pregnancy loss?
Yes. Linsey publicly discussed previous miscarriages and announced another pregnancy loss in April 2025. She shared the family’s experience to offer support to others affected by pregnancy loss.
Who are Matt Roy’s parents?
Matt Roy’s parents are Rich Roy and Julie Roy. They raised him and his two siblings in Canton, Michigan.
Who is Matt Roy’s father?
His father is Rich Roy, who played college basketball at Madonna University and supported Matt’s development through youth and college hockey.
Who is Matt Roy’s mother?
His mother is Julie Roy, who supported his hockey career and celebrated his achievements with the family.
Does Matt Roy have siblings?
Yes. Matt Roy has an older brother named Chris Roy and a younger sister named Megan Roy.
Who is Matt Roy’s older brother?
His older brother is Chris Roy, who played hockey during his younger years and later worked as a firefighter in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Chris served as the best man at Matt’s wedding.
Who is Matt Roy’s sister?
His younger sister is Megan Roy. She has a close relationship with Matt and his wife Linsey and participated in their wedding as a bridesmaid.
Where did Matt Roy grow up?
Matt Roy grew up in Canton, Michigan, where he developed his hockey skills through local youth programs before attending Michigan Tech.
Which NHL team does Matt Roy play for?
Matt Roy plays for the Washington Capitals. He joined the organization in July 2024 after spending several seasons with the Los Angeles Kings.
A dedicated ice hockey journalist, Janet Asprin delivers sharp, detailed coverage of the NHL season. From evaluating trade deadline moves and line combinations to analyzing power plays and postseason standings, Janet brings a fresh, structured perspective to every game. She focuses on translating high-speed rink strategy into compelling stories and actionable insights for hockey fans.
