Colby Armstrong
Encyclopedia
Colby Joseph Armstrong is a Canadian
professional ice hockey
player, who is an alternate captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
.
, Saskatchewan
in the city's northeastern neighborhood of Erindale
, where he continues to live in the off-season. He played youth hockey with the Saskatoon Red Wings and the Saskatoon Blazers. Additionally, as a child he was a figure-skater. He, along with Los Angeles Kings
forward Jarret Stoll
, Philadelphia Flyers
forward Brayden Schenn
and Toronto Maple Leafs
teammate Luke Schenn
, attended St. Joseph High School in Saskatoon.
in the first round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft
as the 21st pick overall.
In the 2005–06 season, he made his NHL debut, and had a superb rookie campaign, in which he played 47 games tallying 40 points (16G, 24A) and was a team-high plus-15.
Armstrong had three overtime goals for the Penguins in the 2006–07 season, beating Kari Lehtonen
of the Atlanta Thrashers
, Ed Belfour
of the Florida Panthers
, and Henrik Lundqvist
of the New York Rangers
. The Pittsburgh Penguins
and Armstrong avoided an arbitration hearing, in 2006–2007 off-season, by re-signing him to two year deal that paid US$1.2 million annually.
Armstrong became very close friends with former teammate Sidney Crosby
while playing for the Penguins.
He was a member of the 2007 Canadian IIHF World Championship
-winning team. His only goal of the tournament was the game-winning goal in the gold medal game against Finland
in Moscow
, which Canada won 4–2.
Pittsburgh traded Armstrong on February 26, 2008 to the Atlanta Thrashers along with Angelo Esposito
, Erik Christensen
, and a first round pick in exchange for Marián Hossa
and Pascal Dupuis
. He then scored 11 points in 18 games to finish out the 2007–08
season with the Thrashers.
On July 16, 2009 he re-signed with the Thrashers to a one-year $2.4 million contract. He served as one of the team's alternate captains during the 2009–10 season.
On July 1, 2010, he signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Toronto Maple Leafs
for $3 million per year for 3 years.
His younger brother, Riley Armstrong, was with the San Jose Sharks for 5 seasons and split between Calgary and Detroit before signing in the KHL on November 21 with Barys Astana
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player, who is an alternate captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
.
Early life
Armstrong grew up in SaskatoonSaskatoon
Saskatoon is a city in central Saskatchewan, Canada, on the South Saskatchewan River. Residents of the city of Saskatoon are called Saskatonians. The city is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Corman Park No. 344....
, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
in the city's northeastern neighborhood of Erindale
Erindale, Saskatoon
Erindale is a primarily residential neighbourhood located in northeast Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. It is mostly made up of low-density single detached dwellings. As of 2006, the area is home to 4,359 residents...
, where he continues to live in the off-season. He played youth hockey with the Saskatoon Red Wings and the Saskatoon Blazers. Additionally, as a child he was a figure-skater. He, along with Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
forward Jarret Stoll
Jarret Stoll
Jarret Stoll is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League...
, Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
forward Brayden Schenn
Brayden Schenn
Brayden Schenn is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League . Schenn was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings fifth overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut for the Kings in October 2009, after being called...
and Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
teammate Luke Schenn
Luke Schenn
Luke Schenn is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League . Schenn played junior hockey with the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League . In his final WHL season, Schenn was named to the league's Second All-Star Team...
, attended St. Joseph High School in Saskatoon.
Playing career
Armstrong was drafted by the Pittsburgh PenguinsPittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
in the first round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft
2001 NHL Entry Draft
The 2001 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 23–24, 2001 at the National Car Rental Center in Sunrise, Florida.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:-Round nine:...
as the 21st pick overall.
In the 2005–06 season, he made his NHL debut, and had a superb rookie campaign, in which he played 47 games tallying 40 points (16G, 24A) and was a team-high plus-15.
Armstrong had three overtime goals for the Penguins in the 2006–07 season, beating Kari Lehtonen
Kari Lehtonen
Kari Lehtonen is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League...
of the Atlanta Thrashers
Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
, Ed Belfour
Ed Belfour
Edward John Belfour is a former Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender.Belfour was born in Carman, Manitoba and grew up playing hockey. He played junior hockey for the Winkler Flyers before going to the University of North Dakota where he helped the school win the NCAA championship in the...
of the Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
, and Henrik Lundqvist
Henrik Lundqvist
Henrik Lundqvist is a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He was nominated for the Vezina Trophy in his first three seasons in the NHL, finishing third all three times, and is the only goaltender in NHL history to record 30 wins in...
of the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
. The Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
and Armstrong avoided an arbitration hearing, in 2006–2007 off-season, by re-signing him to two year deal that paid US$1.2 million annually.
Armstrong became very close friends with former teammate Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby
Sidney Patrick Crosby ONS is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . Crosby was drafted first overall by the Penguins out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League...
while playing for the Penguins.
He was a member of the 2007 Canadian IIHF World Championship
World championship
A world championship is the top achievement for any sport or contest. The title is usually awarded by contests, ranking systems, stature, ability, etc. This determines the best nation, team, individual in the world in a particular field. Certain sports do not have a world championship, instead...
-winning team. His only goal of the tournament was the game-winning goal in the gold medal game against Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, which Canada won 4–2.
Pittsburgh traded Armstrong on February 26, 2008 to the Atlanta Thrashers along with Angelo Esposito
Angelo Esposito
Angelo Esposito is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League and is a prospect for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League...
, Erik Christensen
Erik Christensen
Erik Christensen is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
, and a first round pick in exchange for Marián Hossa
Marian Hossa
Marián Hossa is a Slovak professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League . Hossa was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft; after playing for the Senators, he played for the Atlanta Thrashers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and...
and Pascal Dupuis
Pascal Dupuis
Pascal Dupuis is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
. He then scored 11 points in 18 games to finish out the 2007–08
2007-08 NHL season
The 2007–08 NHL season was the 91st season of operation of the National Hockey League . It began on September 29, 2007, with the regular season ending April 6, 2008...
season with the Thrashers.
On July 16, 2009 he re-signed with the Thrashers to a one-year $2.4 million contract. He served as one of the team's alternate captains during the 2009–10 season.
On July 1, 2010, he signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
for $3 million per year for 3 years.
His younger brother, Riley Armstrong, was with the San Jose Sharks for 5 seasons and split between Calgary and Detroit before signing in the KHL on November 21 with Barys Astana
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1998–99 | Sask. Blazers | SMHL | 33 | 21 | 19 | 40 | 103 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Red Deer Rebels Red Deer Rebels The Red Deer Rebels are a Western Hockey League junior ice hockey team based in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. They play their home games at the ENMAX Centrium.... |
WHL Western Hockey League The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada... |
1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | Red Deer Rebels | WHL | 68 | 13 | 25 | 38 | 122 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 11 | ||
| 2000–01 | Red Deer Rebels | WHL | 72 | 36 | 42 | 78 | 156 | 21 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 29 | ||
| 2001–02 | Red Deer Rebels | WHL | 64 | 27 | 41 | 68 | 115 | 23 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 22 | ||
| 2002–03 2002–03 AHL season The 2002–03 AHL season was the 67th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hamilton Bulldogs finished first overall in the regular season... |
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. They play in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
73 | 7 | 11 | 18 | 76 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||
| 2003–04 2003–04 AHL season The 2003–04 AHL season was the 68th season of the American Hockey League. The league introduces the Willie Marshall Award in honour the career points leader in the AHL, and awards it to the annual top goal scorer.... |
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | AHL | 67 | 10 | 17 | 27 | 71 | 24 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 45 | ||
| 2004–05 2004–05 AHL season The 2004–05 AHL season was the 69th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season... |
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | AHL | 80 | 18 | 37 | 55 | 89 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 14 | ||
| 2005–06 | Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
47 | 16 | 24 | 40 | 58 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 2005–06 AHL season The 2005–06 AHL season was the 70th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hershey Bears won the Calder Cup, defeating the Milwaukee Admirals in the finals.... |
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | AHL | 31 | 11 | 18 | 29 | 44 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 80 | 12 | 22 | 34 | 67 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 11 | ||
| 2007–08 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 54 | 9 | 15 | 24 | 50 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Atlanta Thrashers Atlanta Thrashers The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season... |
NHL | 18 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
Atlanta Thrashers | NHL | 82 | 22 | 18 | 40 | 75 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
Atlanta Thrashers | NHL | 79 | 15 | 14 | 29 | 61 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 NHL season The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech... |
Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 50 | 8 | 15 | 23 | 61 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 410 | 86 | 115 | 210 | 355 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 11 | ||||