Hockey Player of the Week: Gary Roberts

Because Mondays are for hockey, we present you with a new series titled "Hockey Player of the Week." Basically, we will highlight the career of one hockey player. For EP's execs, there really is only one way to start this series, with the career of Gary Roberts.

Despite the fact that Gary Roberts only played four years in Toronto he’s a memorable player in the Maple Leafs’ esteemed tradition. His best night from this time period has to be the triple overtime goal he scored on the Ottawa Senators to tie a playoff series that the Leafs would eventually win. In addition he utilized a scorched earth policy during this time period.

http://photos.upi.com/topics-NHL-PLAYOFFS-TORONTO-MAPLE-LEAFS-VS-OTTAWA-SENATORS/7323999e33f24f2c498c18908ccb5fb5/G_1.jpg


While on the veteran-filled squads, Roberts never fell below 45 points during the regular season. He also became a necessary addition to the postseason roster, as he was involved in all four of the Leaf’s playoff chances. In fact, AGR(after Gary Roberts) they haven’t made the postseason.

Then came the lockout. With speed, not strength, becoming a more important part of the game, players like Gary were becoming obsolete. In addition, for many players who rely on a physical edge, the body begins to deteriorate to the point that the player is useless by the time he reaches his late thirties. When the NHL would play again, Roberts would be 39.

Of course, Gary Roberts isn’t most hockey players. He decided to sign a two-year contract with the Florida Panthers, the NHL equivalent of the Bad News Bears. Despite the usual rash of injuries, Roberts played over 100 games, scoring 69 points in the process.

Then came a moment that the founders of this blog remember prominently. Gary Roberts was traded from the Florida Panthers to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a box of animal crackers Noah Welch. The same Noah Welch that has played in exactly 73 games in his career, or less than Gary Roberts played in his LAST THREE SEASONS.


In addition to his usual forays into physical play, Roberts was also brought to the Penguins to provide leadership for a team that was, and is, young. Players like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin had never experienced an NHL postseason. Since the NHL postseason requires everything outside of sacrificing a player’s body outright, a player like Roberts could show the young superstars what was required to win.

Also, Roberts was brought on due to his memorable conditioning tactics. Roberts was, and is, meticulous about what it went into his body. In fact, one of the best lines about Roberts came from a commentator who was shocked that Roberts wasn’t drinking a particular brand of bottled water. Yes, Roberts was particular about bottled water.
Roberts also had some memorable moments during his play in Pittsburgh. Who could forget the time he pounded on Ben Eager, a fighter who was old enough to be his son, so badly that Eager was traded the next day?

http://rexee-13.vo.llnwd.net/d1/video_img/347/72495743/72495743_2706.jpg

Most of this footage has been edited to receive a PG rating.
Or the time he ate the soul of the Ottawa Senators during the playoffs by scoring two goals, then hitting an opponent so hard he prompted color commentator Bob Errey to say, on air, “Oh, he just killed someone.” Then, as if that wasn’t enough, Roberts taunted the Senators as he was dragged off of the ice by a referee.
Oh, and Roberts had just come back from a broken leg. The Penguins defeated the Senators in four straight games.

http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=525125

After the Penguins were defeated in the Stanley Cup finals, Roberts would be traded with Ryan Malone to the Tampa Bay Lightning. He would play only 30 games before injuries forced him to retire on March 1st. In his last game, back in Calgary where his career started, Roberts had an assist.

Now, Roberts is away from the game, as he is not working in a formal capacity with any NHL team, though he does still work out with NHL players. In fact, two of the players he worked with were Steven Stamkos and Steve Downie. Stamkos, a talented rookie, was coming off a season in which his coach suggested that he wasn’t ready for the NHL. Downie, on the other hand, had been demoted to the minor leagues for twenty-three games.

The results after working with Roberts? A career-high in almost every statistical category for Downie, and the Rocket Richard trophy for the most goals during the regular season for Stamkos. Both also represented Canada during the World Championships.

Even after his career, Roberts is still dominating the league.


- Pete Gegick