Phil Roberto

Phillip Joseph Roberto (January 1, 1949 – April 30, 2025) was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Detroit Red Wings, Kansas City Scouts, Colorado Rockies, and Cleveland Barons between 1969 and 1978. He also played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) for the Birmingham Bulls.

NHL career Roberto (right) in action for St. Louis Blues against Steve Vickers (left) in 1971 Roberto won the Stanley Cup with Montreal in 1971. That same year, Roberto assisted Canadiens legend Jean Béliveau's landmark 500th goal.

In 385 NHL games, Roberto recorded 75 goals and 106 assists for a total of 181 points.

Roberto's 1973-74 hockey card depicts him fighting with New York Islanders goalie Billy Smith, marking the first time a player was shown in a fight on a card.

Coaching career Roberto coached the ECHL's Birmingham Bulls from 1993-96. He then served as general manager of the CHL/ECHL's Columbus (Ga.) Cottonmouths for several seasons before coaching the team for the latter half of the 2002-03 season.

Death Roberto died on April 30, 2025, at the age of 76.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1965–66 Niagara Falls Flyers OHA 2 2 0 2 0 6 1 1 2 6 1965–66 Niagara Falls Canucks OHA-B — — — — — — — — — — 1966–67 Niagara Falls Flyers OHA 14 1 0 1 6 — — — — — 1966–67 Niagara Falls Canucks OHA-B — — — — — — — — — — 1967–68 Niagara Falls Flyers OHA 53 19 20 39 92 19 13 14 27 71 1968–69 Niagara Falls Flyers OHA 52 29 65 94 152 14 7 15 22 38 1969–70 Montreal Canadiens NHL 8 0 1 1 8 — — — — — 1969–70 Montreal Voyageurs AHL 54 20 19 39 160 8 3 1 4 19 1970–71 Montreal Canadiens NHL 39 14 7 21 76 15 0 1 1 36 1970–71 Montreal Voyageurs AHL 32 19 22 41 127 — — — — — 1971–72 Montreal Canadiens NHL 27 3 2 5 22 — — — — — 1971–72 St. Louis Blues NHL 49 12 13 25 76 11 7 6 13 29 1972–73 St. Louis Blues NHL 77 20 22 42 99 5 2 1 3 4 1973–74 St. Louis Blues NHL 15 1 1 2 10 — — — — — 1973–74 Denver Spurs WHL 8 5 4 9 40 — — — — — 1974–75 St. Louis Blues NHL 7 0 2 2 2 — — — — — 1974–75 Denver Spurs CHL 8 3 2 5 12 — — — — — 1974–75 Detroit Red Wings NHL 46 13 27 40 30 — — — — — 1975–76 Detroit Red Wings NHL 37 1 7 8 68 — — — — — 1975–76 Kansas City Scouts NHL 37 7 15 22 42 — — — — — 1976–77 Colorado Rockies NHL 22 1 5 6 23 — — — — — 1976–77 Cleveland Barons NHL 21 3 4 7 8 — — — — — 1977–78 Birmingham Bulls WHA 53 8 20 28 91 4 1 0 1 20 WHA totals 53 8 20 28 91 4 1 0 1 20 NHL totals 385 75 106 181 464 31 9 8 17 69