Gary Roberts

Gary Roberts is a Canadian winger on the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Roberts was drafted by the Calgary Flames in 1984. He debuted with Calgary in 1986, and played there until 1996. He has been one of the most well-rounded players in the NHL his entire career, providing a rare mix of offensive talent and physical grit and determination. In 1989, he won the Stanley Cup with the Flames. In 1994-95, he missed nearly all of the lockout-shortened season with injuries, but returned to play in the following season. He retired in 1996 at age 30.

In 1997, he signed with the Carolina Hurricanes and continued to contribute, scoring 49 points despite missing 20 games with injuries. In 2000, he signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and helped lead them to the playoffs. In 2001, he became only the sixth player in history to score 350 goals and record 2000 penalty minutes. In the playoffs that year, he led Toronto in assists and points. He would miss 57 games of the 2002-03 season with injuries but returned to contribute in the playoffs. In 2003-04, he played in his 1000th career NHL game.

After the lockout, Roberts signed with the Florida Panthers and was named an alternate captain. He was acquired by the Pittsburgh Penguins at the trade deadline in 2007. Halfway through the 2007-08 season, Roberts broke his left leg, but returned to the lineup in time for the playoffs. When he scored twice in one game against Ottawa in the opening round, he set a record as the oldest player to score multiple goals in one playoff game. Roberts signed with Tampa Bay in the 2008 offseason.

Roberts has played in 1194 games as of the 2007-08 season, scored 434 goals and 903 points, while accumulating 2533 penalty minutes.