In his freshman season, 1999-2000, the Sioux won the NCAA Frozen Four, defeating Maine in the semifinals, then Boston College in the championship game held in Providence, Rhode Island.

Roche returned to Houston for the better part of the 2002–03 season, establishing career highs in goals (14), assists (34) and points (48) and was a key player in the team's run to the 2003 Calder Cup title.

Roche signed as a free agent with the Phoenix Coyotes in the summer of 2006, and after a strong training camp for head coach Wayne Gretzky, and with 17 games played, one goal and nine assists for the team's AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage, Roche was called up by the Coyotes for the remainder of the 2006–2007 NHL season.

Roche established NHL career highs for games played (50), goals (6), assists (13), points (19) and PIM (22) and also led the team in plus/minus ratio (+2).

[7] Roche appeared in 60 games over four NHL seasons between 2000–01 and 2006–07, where he collected 6 goals and 14 assists for 20 points and was assessed 24 PIM.