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Gordie Roberts never seemed to lack two things: Experience and cool nerves. He played like he always wanted the puck. Just as it seemed like he was holding on to it too long in the face of on-coming forecheking, the vetern would somehow make a great pass or find some open ice.
In 21 professional seasons, Gordie Roberts suited up for over 1,500 games. His best year came in 1983-84 when he recorded 53 points. His NHL travels brought him to Hartford, Minnesota, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Boston.
Before joining the NHL, Roberts was signed at 18 by the New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association. In back to back seasons, 1977-78 and 1978-79, he led all WHA defensemen in scoring. The Detroit born native represented is country twice in the Canada Cup (1976, 1981). After four seasons in the WHA, he broke into the NHL as a result of the WHA-NHL merger. While in New England, Roberts earned the distiction of assisting on Gordie Howe's final NHL goal.
In 1981, the Minnesota North Stars aquired his services in exchange for Mike Fidler. His impact on the club was immediate. Roberts was a key peformer in helping them reach the 1981 Stanley Cup Finals.
Roberts played in 153 NHL playoff games. He won two Stanley Cups ('90-91 & '91-92) with the Pittsburgh Penguins. In 1994, Roberts left the NHL and joined the IHL. Minnesota fans may remember that he finished his playing career back in Minnesota with the Moose.
In 1997, Gordie was hired on the Phoenix Coyotes coaching staff and served in that capacity until recently when he named Director of Player Development. Working along side of another North Star legend, Bobby Smith, Roberts is now responsible for evaluating the progress of the organizations's young prospects. Gordie, wife Marlo and two children currently reside in Minneapolis.
Drafted: #54 overall by Montreal, 1977
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM
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1973-74 Detroit Junior Red Wings SOJHL 0 0 0 0 0
1974-75 Victoria Cougars WCHL 53 19 45 64 145
1975-76 New-England Whalers WHA 77 3 19 22 102
1976-77 New-England Whalers WHA 77 13 33 46 169
1977-78 New-England Whalers WHA 78 15 46 61 118
1978-79 New-England Whalers WHA 79 11 46 57 113
1979-80 Hartford Whalers NHL 80 8 28 36 89
1980-81 Hartford Whalers NHL 27 2 11 13 81
1980-81 Minnesota North Stars NHL 50 6 31 37 94
1981-82 Minnesota North Stars NHL 79 4 30 34 119
1982-83 Minnesota North Stars NHL 80 3 41 44 103
1983-84 Minnesota North Stars NHL 77 8 45 53 132
1984-85 Minnesota North Stars NHL 78 6 36 42 112
1985-86 Minnesota North Stars NHL 76 2 21 23 101
1986-87 Minnesota North Stars NHL 67 3 10 13 68
1987-88 Minnesota North Stars NHL 48 1 10 11 103
1987-88 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 11 1 2 3 15
1987-88 St.-Louis Blues NHL 11 1 3 4 25
1988-89 St.-Louis Blues NHL 77 2 24 26 90
1989-90 St.-Louis Blues NHL 75 3 14 17 140
1990-91 Peoria Rivermen IHL 6 0 8 8 4
1990-91 St.-Louis Blues NHL 3 0 1 1 8
1990-91 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 61 3 12 15 70
1991-92 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 73 2 22 24 87
1992-93 Boston Bruins NHL 65 5 12 17 105
1993-94 Boston Bruins NHL 59 1 6 7 40
1994-95 Chicago Wolves IHL 68 6 22 28 80
1995-96 Minnesota Moose IHL 37 1 12 13 44
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WHA Totals 311 42 144 186 502
NHL Totals 1097 61 359 420 1582
Stats courtesy of HockeyDb.Com