Gary Roberts (ice hockey)
[1] His best friend growing up was future NHL teammate Joe Nieuwendyk; the pair played minor hockey together in the winter, and box lacrosse in the summer.Roberts joined the Flames as a grinder;[11] He played a physical style and frequently engaged opponents in fights, but credited Nieuwendyk with helping him establish his place as a power forward and offensive threat with the team.[11] He added 12 points in the 1989 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including two goals in the Flames' 5–3 victory in the fourth game of the Smythe Division final that eliminated the Los Angeles Kings.[23] Several months after retiring, Roberts was put in touch with Dr. Michael Leahy, a chiropractor from Colorado, whose "active release technique" of physiotherapy led to an immediate improvement in his mobility.[25] The Flames dealt Roberts, along with goaltender Trevor Kidd, to the Carolina Hurricanes on August 25, 1997, in exchange for Andrew Cassels and Jean-Sébastien Giguère.[30] A 48-point season followed in 2001–02 and he assumed leadership of the Maple Leafs during the 2002 Stanley Cup Playoffs after team captain Mats Sundin suffered an injury.[31] Roberts led Toronto past their first round opponent, the New York Islanders, in an occasionally violent seven game series.[34] Roberts reached a career milestone midway through the 2003–04 season, as he played his 1,000th NHL game on January 13, 2004, a 4–1 victory over the Calgary Flames.[40] The deal was completed at the February 27, 2007, trade deadline as Pittsburgh sent prospect Noah Welch to Florida in exchange for Roberts.[42] He finished the regular season with 13 points in 19 games in Pittsburgh and helped the Penguins reach the playoffs for the first time in six years.He missed time early in the season due to a viral infection, then broke his left fibula in a game against the Buffalo Sabres.Pittsburgh opted not to re-sign Roberts to a new contract following the season and traded both him and Ryan Malone – who was also a pending free agent – to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a third round draft pick on June 28, 2008.Nine days after playing his final NHL game, an 8–6 win in Calgary where he recorded an assist, Roberts announced his retirement on March 10, 2009.[49] Roberts entered his first NHL training camp with the Flames in 1984 believing his summer lacrosse schedule was enough to keep him in proper hockey game shape.[50] The criticism inspired Roberts to dedicate himself to personal training,[40] and carried a reputation for being obsessed with nutrition and physical fitness throughout his career.His growing reputation as a personal trainer led to the creation of the Gary Roberts High Performance Centre and Fitness Institute in Toronto, Ontario where he trains junior and professional players, including several in the NHL.[54] Roberts hosts an annual charity golf tournament in Uxbridge, Ontario, in support of Canadian Tire's Jumpstart program, which helps young people get involved in sports.
Tampa Bay LightningNorth YorkLeft WingCalgary FlamesCarolina HurricanesToronto Maple LeafsFlorida PanthersPittsburgh PenguinsNHL draftCanadianice hockeyNational Hockey LeagueMemorial CupMinto Cupjunior hockeybox lacrosse1984 NHL Entry Draft1989 Stanley CupNHL All-Star GameBill Masterton Memorial Trophy1995–96 season1,224 games playedpointsTorontoOntarioWhitbyJoe Nieuwendykminor hockeyWhitby WarriorsOntario Hockey LeagueOttawa 67's1982–83second seasonKitchener RangersJ. Ross Robertson Cup1984 Memorial Cup1984–85captainAll-StarAmerican Hockey LeagueMoncton Golden Flames1985–86Canadian junior team1986 World Junior Ice Hockey ChampionshipsGuelph PlatersBelleville Bulls1986 Memorial CupHull Olympiques2011 Heritage Classic1986–87Vancouver Canucks1987–88penalty minutesgrinderfightspower forwardHåkan Loob1988–891989 Stanley Cup PlayoffsSmythe DivisionLos Angeles KingsMontreal CanadiensStanley Cup1989–90hat trickEdmonton Oilers1990–911991–92Lanny McDonald50 goalsKevin Stevens1992–93quadricepssecond All-Star Game1993–94 seasonlockout1994–95 seasondumbbellHartford Whalersbodychecks1996–97 seasonEasternTrevor KiddAndrew CasselsJean-Sébastien Giguère1997–981998–99Southeast DivisionBoston Bruins1999–2000free agent2000–012001–022002 Stanley Cup PlayoffsMats SundinNew York IslandersKenny Jonsson2002–03 season2003–04 season1,000th NHL gameMellon Arenalabour dispute2004–05National Lacrosse LeagueCalgary Roughnecks2005–062006–07 seasonMario LemieuxRay SheroNoah Welch2007–08Buffalo SabresOttawa SenatorsRyan Malone2008–09 seasonwaiversfolk heroBob JohnsonDallas Stars2010–11 NHL seasonSteven StamkosToronto, OntarioUxbridge, OntarioCanadian TireRegular seasonPlayoffs