Two Whitby men, friends since childhood, have been reunited again. Not only have the two been signed by the same professional hockey team, they are playing on the same forward line together again. Joe Nieuwendyk and Gary Roberts, pals and teammates from the time they started playing with the Brooklin – Whitby Minor Hockey Association at the age of five until they went their separate ways as teens, now find themselves back together again with the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League.
Both 21, they are a key part of Calgary’s youth movement. The Flames have proved to be one of the N.H.L.’s most successful teams over the past two seasons. They made it to the Stanley Cup finals during the 1985-86 season but suffered a first round loss to the Winnipeg Jets last year.
Shortly after last spring’s loss, then coach Bob Johnson resigned from the squad. He has been replaced by Terry Crisp who is familiar with Roberts’ style and abilities, having coached him while playing for the Moncton Golden Flames for most of last season.
Crisp, whose 11 – year N.H.L. career has been characterized by a rough-and-tumble approach to the game, has nothing but praise for Roberts, going as far as to compare him to the Sutters, six brothers from Alberta who made it to the N.H.L. on their grinding digging style.
Of Nieuwendyk, Crisp is impressed by his keenness, saying he is impressed with his enthusiasm and ability.
After so many years apart, Nieuwendyk and Roberts are back on the same line again, standing out as Calgary’s best forwards during training camp.
After playing for the B.W.M.H.A., Roberts was picked up by Oshawa Legionaires Junior B. squad and the same year moved up to Junior A. with Ottawa ‘67s where he was captain for a few years prior to the N.H.L. draft. Nieuwendyk was signed by Pickering Panthers Junior B. team where he played until accepting a dual hockey and lacrosse scholarship at Cornell University. He joined the Flames late last season and accounted for five goals in nine regular season games.
