Colby Armstrong

**Colby Joseph Armstrong** (born November 23, 1982) is a Canadian broadcaster and former professional ice hockey right winger. He played parts of 8 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Atlanta Thrashers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Montreal Canadiens. Outside of the NHL, Armstrong played for the Växjö Lakers of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).

He currently works as an analyst for both _NHL on Sportsnet_ and _SportsNet Pittsburgh_ for Penguins games.

## Career

Before playing in the NHL, Armstrong played parts of four seasons with the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He had a successful time with the Rebels. During the playoffs, he helped the Rebels go on a run. They defeated the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Calgary Hitmen, and Swift Current Broncos. They went on to defeat the Portland Winterhawks to win the President's Cup and also the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy for being the best regular season record. The Rebels earned a berth in the Memorial Cup tournament. Armstrong helped the Rebels defeat the Val-d'Or Foreurs in the final to win the first Memorial Cup in Rebels franchise history. Armstrong served as the Rebels captain.

He was drafted 21st overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2001 NHL entry draft. On September 3, Armstrong signed an entry-level contract to join the Penguins. He was immediately sent down to play for their AHL-affiliate Wilkes–Barre/Scranton Penguins. He played parts of four seasons with WBS. On August 12, 2005, Armstrong signed a contract to stay with the Penguins. On December 29, 2005, the Penguins called him up and Armstrong made his NHL debut in a 6–2 win against the New Jersey Devils. On January 3, 2006, he recorded his first NHL point, assisting on a Maxime Talbot goal in a 6–4 win against the Montreal Canadiens. Three days later on January 6, Armstrong scored his first NHL goal against Kari Lehtonen in a 6–3 loss against the Atlanta Thrashers. On July 21, Armstrong signed a one-year contract to stay with the Penguins.

On February 26, 2008, the Penguins traded Armstrong along with Angelo Esposito, Erik Christensen and a 2008 first-round draft pick to the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for Marián Hossa and Pascal Dupuis. On July 16, 2009, Armstrong signed a two-year, $2.4 million contract to stay with the Thrashers.

On July 1, 2010, Armstrong signed a three-year, $9 million contract to join the Toronto Maple Leafs. His time was the Leafs was not very successful and he missed a lot of playing time because of injuries. On June 30, 2012, the Maple Leafs bought out the rest of Armstrong's contract.

On July 1, 2012, Armstrong signed a one-year, $1 million contract to join the Montreal Canadiens. He scored 2 goals and recorded 3 assists for 5 points in 37 games for the Canadiens. After being injured in a game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Armstrong was ruled out for the rest of the season. It was the last time he played in the NHL.

On July 27, 2013, Armstrong left the NHL and North America after signing a contract to join the Växjö Lakers of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). He scored 12 goals and recorded 7 assists for 19 points in 37 games for the Lakers. He retired from playing professional ice hockey in 2014.

## Personal life

Armstrong's younger brother Riley Armstrong was also a professional hockey player and played 2 games for the San Jose Sharks.

## Infobox (ice hockey player)

- **image**: ColbyArmstrong.jpg
- **caption**: Armstrong during his time with the Penguins on November 4, 2006
- **position**: Winger (ice hockey), Right wing
- **shoots**: Right
- **birth place**: Lloydminster, Saskatchewan
- **height ft**: 6
- **height in**: 3
- **weight lb**: 195
- **played for**: Pittsburgh Penguins
Atlanta Thrashers
Toronto Maple Leafs
Montreal Canadiens
Växjö Lakers HC
- **ntl team**: CAN
- **draft**: 21st overall
- **draft year**: 2001
- **draft team**: Pittsburgh Penguins
- **career start**: 2004
- **career end**: 2014