Professional Hockey Player, College Hockey Coach. For eight seasons (1937 to 1942, 1943 1943 to 1946), he played at the center position in the National Hockey League with the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York/Brooklyn Americans and Detroit Red Wings. His lengthy association in the sport began with the New York Rovers, followed by a stint with the Syracuse Stars, before his promotion to the NHL with the Maple Leafs during the 1937-1938 season. In the course of his career, he produced four double-digit goal seasons, and four years of 20-or-better assists. He concluded his playing career (which was interrupted while he served in the Royal Canadian Army during World War II) in 1946, with a total 270 regulars season games, 67 goals, and 121 assists. From 1950 to 1955, he served as head coach of the Regina Pats. In 1956, Armstrong was named head coach of the University of Denver hockey squad; he guided the Pioneers to five NCAA titles (1958, 1960, 1961, 1968 and 1969), and three runner-up places (1963, 1964 and 1973), before retiring in 1977 as one of the most accomplished coaches in collegiate history, amassing a 460 win 215 loss and 31 tie record. He was a two-time recipient of the WCHA Coach of the Year (1961 and 1968), was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1974, and was awarded the Lester Patrick Trophy in 1977. He died following a series of strokes.
Professional Hockey Player, College Hockey Coach. For eight seasons (1937 to 1942, 1943 1943 to 1946), he played at the center position in the National Hockey League with the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York/Brooklyn Americans and Detroit Red Wings. His lengthy association in the sport began with the New York Rovers, followed by a stint with the Syracuse Stars, before his promotion to the NHL with the Maple Leafs during the 1937-1938 season. In the course of his career, he produced four double-digit goal seasons, and four years of 20-or-better assists. He concluded his playing career (which was interrupted while he served in the Royal Canadian Army during World War II) in 1946, with a total 270 regulars season games, 67 goals, and 121 assists. From 1950 to 1955, he served as head coach of the Regina Pats. In 1956, Armstrong was named head coach of the University of Denver hockey squad; he guided the Pioneers to five NCAA titles (1958, 1960, 1961, 1968 and 1969), and three runner-up places (1963, 1964 and 1973), before retiring in 1977 as one of the most accomplished coaches in collegiate history, amassing a 460 win 215 loss and 31 tie record. He was a two-time recipient of the WCHA Coach of the Year (1961 and 1968), was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1974, and was awarded the Lester Patrick Trophy in 1977. He died following a series of strokes.
Bio by: C.S.
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