He played in Boston and New York City in the United States Amateur Hockey Association from 1914 to 1918. The next season he led the Ontario Hockey Association senior league in scoring as his Hamilton Tigers won the Allan Cup. That got the National Hockey League's attention, and he was signed by the Toronto St. Pats in 1919. The Hamilton Tigers acquired him in the next season, and he played for them until the franchise was suspended in 1925. He then went with most of the team to the New York Americans. Roach played there until 1927.