Sideline Stories: Coach Armstrong, Maine Mariners
Born and raised in Saskatchewan, I grew up in a family of five. And, by that, I mean a family of five skaters; my Dad was a hockey player and my mom is in her 40th year of coaching figure skating.
Growing up, spending time skating on outdoor rinks with my parents, my brother and my sister were prominent moments in my life. I started playing hockey around eight years old and was a figure skater until 10th grade, when I decided to focus my attention on hockey. If you’re serious about a sport, there will come a time when you have to fully commit to it if you want to get better and play at the highest level.
A pivotal step for me in this process was spending my 11th and 12th grades in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, where I lived with a billet family and played AAA Midget hockey. After two good seasons, I began getting some attention from WHL teams and colleges in the U.S. Then, I found myself at another crossroads: Do I play in the WHL, or go to college?
My older brother played in the WHL for the Red Deer Rebels, had a great junior career and was drafted in the first round of the NHL draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins. I always wanted to follow in his footsteps. So, I attended Kootenay Ice training camp, made the team and gave up my college eligibility. After one season, I was traded in the expansion draft to the Everett Silvertips, where Kevin Constantine and the coaching staff really turned me into a professional. We lost in the WHL finals but had a good season, setting many league records as an expansion franchise.
After the season, I was hoping to get drafted to the NHL or at least be invited to a training camp. On draft day, my phone rang. It was the San Jose Sharks. I hadn’t been drafted, but they invited me to attend their rookie camp.
Following camp, they offered me a contract. I didn’t have an agent at the time, and my mind was racing. I still had another year of junior hockey left, a major consideration. Later that day, without an agent, I signed my first NHL contract at 19 years old. I was off to play for the organization’s AHL team, the Cleveland Barons.
I ended up playing professional hockey for 12 years, spending time in Russia, Finland, Germany, and Sweden. Eventually, my playing days ended, but I wanted to stay involved with the game. I started making phone calls and exploring options. Then, I finally got my coaching break, and my family and I made our way to Wheeling, West Virginia.
During my second year there, the Maine Mariners franchise was born, and I wanted to be considered for the head coaching position. On February 14th, Danny Briere called to tell me I was his guy! We were back on the move again – this time up to Portland.
In my life, I have embraced so many different mentors: my family (Wayne, Rosemary, Colby, and Tiffany), Kevin Constantine, Jay Varady, and Daniel Briere, to name a few. They helped shape me into the player I was and the coach I am today. My involvement in the game has allowed me to meet so many people from all over the world. But, best of all, I was able to meet my wife and start a family.
Being involved in hockey is something I never take for granted, and I wouldn’t change my journey for anything!
