Jimmy Roberts, Former NHL All-Star, Dies at Age 75

Former NHL defenseman Jimmy Roberts, who played 15 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens and St. Louis Blues, died Friday at the age of 75. 

The Blues released a statement on Roberts' death on their official website:

"

The St. Louis Blues and the Blues Alumni organization are deeply saddened by the passing of the original Blue Jimmy Roberts. Jimmy was the franchise’s first-ever draft pick and was instrumental in building the foundation of Blues hockey as a player and upholding its tradition as an alumnus. His tireless contributions to St. Louis, the Blues and the game of hockey as a whole will forever live as an example for future generations to follow. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Judy, and their two daughters.

"

According to Dan O'Neill of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Roberts was recently diagnosed with cancer and was scheduled to make one final appearance at the Scottrade Center on Saturday for a special Hockey Fights Cancer Night as the Blues took on the New York Islanders. 

One of Roberts' former coaches, Scotty Bowman, provided some small insight into the person inside the uniform, per John Shannon of Sportsnet:

Roberts spent only five seasons with the Blues, but he is one of the legendary figures for the franchise. He was part of the initial roster after being taken in the 1967 expansion draft and made back-to-back All-Star teams in 1969 and 1970 with St. Louis. 

A stellar defensive player, Roberts led the NHL in defensive point shares in 1965-66. He was also an effective scorer, reaching double digits in goals scored seven times and cracking the 30-point barrier six times. 

In addition to his time with St. Louis, Roberts spent 10 seasons in Montreal and was part of five Stanley Cup championship teams.