Top 50 Flames of All Time: #22 Gary Roberts

Sometimes, injuries derail careers that seemed prime for greatness. One of four 1,000-game players the Calgary Flames drafted in 1984, Gary Roberts seemed destined to be one of the greats before injuries wrecked him for a few seasons.

But despite all these challenges, Roberts still emerged as one of the top Flames ever. He’s #22 on our countdown.

Player, 1986-97

A Greater Toronto Area kid, Roberts played his junior hockey in his home province and starred with the Ottawa 67’s (and in his post-draft year, also the Guelph Platers), winning a a couple Memorial Cups. He was a first-round selection by the Flames in the famous 1984 NHL Draft as part of a draft class that also produced Paul Ranheim,…