Colby Armstrong
A hard-nosed winger turned sharp analyst, he embodies the journey from first-round draft pick to the voice of the game for a new generation of fans.
Born 1982 (age 44)·Canadian ice hockey player·Birthday: November 23·Millennials
Biography
Colby Armstrong's path through hockey was defined by a blend of grit and gregarious charm. Drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2001, the Saskatchewan native carved out a reputation as a tenacious, physical forward who could chip in offensively and was never shy about standing up for teammates. His early years in Pittsburgh, playing alongside a young Sidney Crosby, were marked by a palpable energy that made him a fan favorite. After stints with Atlanta, Toronto, and Montreal, his playing career concluded, but his connection to the sport only deepened. Armstrong seamlessly transitioned into broadcasting, where his candid, often humorous insights and firsthand experience have made him a standout analyst for Sportsnet and the Penguins' regional broadcasts. He didn't just leave the ice; he found a new way to own the conversation around the game he loves.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Colby was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Colby Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Colby's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Selected 21st overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.
- Played over 400 NHL games across four franchises: Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Toronto, and Montreal.
- Earned a prominent role as a national hockey analyst for NHL on Sportsnet following his retirement.
- Serves as a studio analyst for Pittsburgh Penguins broadcasts on SportsNet Pittsburgh.
Did You Know?
He and his wife have twins, a boy and a girl.
During the 2005 NHL lockout, he played for the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL.
His younger brother, Riley Armstrong, also played professional hockey.
“You have to be willing to do the dirty work and stand up for your guys.”
