Roberts closes career with simple gift

TAMPA, FLA – Sitting in front of rookie Steven Stamkos’ locker inside the St. Pete Times Forum was a stick with the words “I look forward to watching you for many years” written on it. The stick was signed by teammate Gary Roberts. A simple gesture that speaks volumes about both Roberts, the teammate, and Roberts, the man.
Tuesday morning,

Roberts, 42, announced his retirement from a 21-year career that spanned six teams and one Stanley Cup title. Today, the passing of the torch of a career’s worth of hockey passion and wisdom went to players like Stamkos and Sidney Crosby.
“I am extremely grateful for having had the opportunity to be a part of this great league (NHL),” Roberts said in a team press release. “The game has been so good to me and I will always be thankful for having had so many years doing what I loved to do.”
Roberts was acquired from Pittsburgh during the past off-season to play the part of tutor and mentor to Stamkos, the Lightning’s number one draft choice in last June’s draft. It was a part he knew well in performing the same task with the Penguins.
Roberts worked closely with Crosby, along with Jordan Staal, Colby Armstrong, and Ryan Malone who later joined him in Tampa. Because of an injury, Roberts skated in just 30 games for Tampa Bay this season, scoring four goals and three assists.
His final game in a Lightning uniform ironically came March 1^st when Tampa visited Calgary. Roberts spent his first ten seasons with the Flames, including the 1988-89 campaign when Calgary won Lord Stanley’s Cup.
Roberts later found out that the Flames had inquired about trading for the veteran forward at the trade deadline, but salary cap issues prevented a possible deal from being made. The Lightning waived Roberts in order to allow him to talk to other teams such as Calgary, but no offers were made.
“I knew if I didn’t get moved at the trade deadline, there was a possibility I wouldn’t play another game,” Roberts told NHL.com. “Tampa Bay is out of the playoffs and are trying to evaluate their younger players. I felt they would go that route and I understood that. I truly believed I was going to get picked up. I played well enough and I was healthy.”
Roberts’ travels took him from Calgary (1986-96) to Carolina (1997-2000), Toronto (2000-2004), Florida (2005-2007) and Pittsburgh (2008) before finishing in Tampa Bay.
During his 1,224 game career, he broke the 20-goal barrier 16 times, posted two 30-goal seasons, two 40-goal seasons, and tallied a career-best 53 goals with Calgary during the 1991-92 campaign. He also played in 130 career playoff games where he a compiled 32 goals, 93 points and 332 penalty minutes.
It was his maturity and commitment that made him a valuable commodity in every locker room he called home during his career.
“Gary has done everything we could have asked or expected of him this year,” Lightning Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton said. “Although we wish things had been better to date for the club, we are extremely grateful to Gary for his contributions both on and off the ice. His leadership, professionalism and guidance will be felt for years because our young players were able to watch, listen and learn from one of the true greats of the game.”
Much of Roberts’ reputation was earned when he suffered a serious neck and back injury during the 1994-95 season. He came back the following year, winning the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for “sportsmanship and dedication to hockey” but the lingering pain forced him to retire following the 1995-96 season.
“I had major nerve problems from the nerves being pinched off by bulging discs. I lost feeling in my arms, with atrophy and weakness,” Roberts said.
“I had two neck surgeries and had to avoid contact to be able to come back and play. At (age) 30, I thought I had done everything I could but I kept having ‘burners’ really bad every time I got hit so I retired. My nerves needed time to regenerate and heal and no one could tell me how long that would take.”
After a year of strenuous rehab and reconditioning, he caught on with the Carolina Hurricanes, putting up 20 goals and 49 points in 61 games during his 1997-98 comeback season. He would play in 639 more NHL games following his first retirement.
“For me, coming back was a huge challenge and made me a stronger person,” Roberts said.
With Tuesday’s announcement, Roberts leaves behind a legacy of hard work and respect, something he is very proud of.
“The impression I want to leave with the young guys is that I was a guy who came to the rink and prepared to play every night and battled hard every shift,” he said. “That’s the way I played my whole career and that’s the way I’d like to be remembered.”
Contact the author at don.money@prohockeynews.com