Montreal Canadiens Colby Armstrong signs with Utah Grizzlies in ECHL -NHL Update
Veteran Montreal Canadiens right winger, Colby Armstrong, has reportedly signed on with a team in the minors, the Utah Grizzlies of the Eastern Conference Hockey League (ECHL), keeping in view the extended lockout.
The Utah Grizzlies made the news official through an announcement Wednesday, December 5, 2012. He is believed to be joining the minor league franchise immediately and may be playing as soon as this upcoming Friday night in Idaho during an exhibition matchup.
"Colby is another experienced veteran leader that we've been interested in," Grizzlies coach Kevin Colley said. "You can't explain how valuable a player like this is coming into our room at this level. We are very excited to have him. He'll be another great example and leader to our team of talented prospects."
Armstrong is a 30-year-old forward who was picked up by the Pittsburgh Penguins as the 21st overall during round-one of the 2001 National Hockey League (NHL) and has played seven seasons in the North American major league with the Penguins, Atlanta Thrashers and Toronto Maple Leafs up until now. The 6-foot-2, 195 pound player is yet to play a game with the Montreal Canadiens, but was signed on to them prior to the 2012-2013 regular season to a $1 million deal, which will make him an unrestricted free agent after the hockey year comes to an end.
"Having the chance to add Colby Armstrong to our roster is a rare opportunity that is very exciting to our other players, the organization and our fans for however long he is with us," added Grizzlies CEO Kevin Bruder.
Armstrong’s best career season was with the Atlanta Thrashers back in 2008-2009 in which he potted 22 goals and 18 assists in 82 games played with 75 minutes in penalty time as well. Throughout his career, the veteran has potted 204 points (87 goals, 117 assists) in a total of 439 games played.
He will be reunited with his younger brother, Riley Armstrong, who is currently a co-captain for the Utah franchise, making the upcoming matchups exciting in that regard to see what the Armstrong brothers accomplish together.
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