Jerry Lai-Imagn Images

Former Leaf and Fitness Guru Gary Roberts Blown Away By One Maple Leafs Veteran

Originally posted on Maple Leafs Daily
By Ryan Smitheram | Last updated Mar 21, 2025 12:12 PM ET

Former Leaf Gary Roberts identified how one Leafs defenseman has been such an elite player for so long during a recent appearance on 'The JD Bunkis Show'.

Gary Roberts was known for being a health and fitness freak when he miraculously returned from a broken neck earlier in his career. Since retiring, he has turned his obsession with health and fitness into a career and has been the 'go to' choice for players during the off-season, training the likes of Connor McDavid, Steven Stamkos and Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev, among other past, present and future NHL players.

The 58-year-old made an appearance on The JD Bunkis Podcast on Thursday, where they discussed all things training. To kick things off, Bunkis asked Roberts what training Tanev is like in the off-season.

'He's what a true professional hockey player should be. The way he carries himself.. He's a true pro and warrior. He's an old-school warrior...The way he lives his life and the way he approaches his profession, his fitness and commitment in the off-season is one of the greatest I've seen.'

Roberts went on to say that Tanev makes the game looks easy because of how he moves and how smart he is before Bunkis reminded listeners how bad the defense was while he was out with injury.

Many believed that the final years of Tanev's six-year deal would age poorly, but from what Roberts said later in his interview (about guys that love the game will continue to play longer), it doesn't sound like Tanev has plans to slow down anytime soon.

The 35-year-old has skated in 61 games heading into Thursday night's game against the Rangers, tallying 2 goals and 17 points to go along with a ridiculous 158 blocks.

This article first appeared on Maple Leafs Daily and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: