Derek "Army" Armstrong sees the Central Hockey League's Denver Cutthroats as an "NHL-run organization on a CHL budget." And his job? "I'm the head coach of a professional hockey team. Doesn't matter what level, what league." (Karl Gehring, The Denver Post)
Rookie coach Derek Armstrong's infectious high- octane personality is bound to filter down to his players and fans of the new Denver Cutthroats of the Central Hockey League. His character traits certainly rubbed off on his NHL teammates.
For Colorado hockey fans who adored former Avalanche winger Ian Laperriere, consider that "Lappy" and "Army" were best buddies while playing for the Los Angeles Kings in the early 2000s, before Lappy came to the Avs.
Although retired from playing, they remain rugged, old-school rink rats who can't get enough of the game they love. They are natural leaders who take pride in teaching others the value of hockey.
"I think Army's going to be a great coach," Laperriere said from his home in the Philadelphia area, where he is director of player development for the Flyers. "He's very passionate about the game and about life. When you bring that to any level, it's a recipe for success. And he has experience everywhere ? in the minors and in the NHL. He's going to be great."
Armstrong played for 15 teams over a 17-year professional career. That he was never traded speaks to his popularity.
"Hockey is my life. Nothing I wanted to do more than be a hockey player, and I'm proud to call myself a hockey player," said Armstrong, who played in 477 NHL games for the Kings, Islanders, Rangers, Senators and Blues. "I'm probably one of the biggest rink rats you ever met. I was always the first one to get to the rink, the first one to make fun of everyone in the dressing room and the last one to leave."
Armstrong, 39, took pride in everything he did, particularly when young teammates were watching. And he felt like a proud uncle when he watched young Kings players Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty hoist the Stanley Cup in June.
"I taught those guys how to be pros," Armstrong said.
Armstrong is excited to mentor young players from a different perspective. The native of Ottawa played for the Denver Grizzlies of the International Hockey League in 1994-95, when he met his wife, Shannon, who attended Chatfield High School in Littleton. They have two sons, Dawson, 12, and Easton, 9, and have maintained a Colorado home since they were married.
Armstrong was forced to retire because of concussions in 2010 after playing one year for the St. Louis Blues. Beginning his coaching career in Denver is a perfect opportunity for a man whose goal is to coach in the NHL.
"I want to build a program here, learn as much as I can," Armstrong said. "I didn't get to win the Stanley Cup as a player, and that was always my dream. I want to win a Stanley Cup one day. When you're done being a hockey player, you think everyone is going to love you and offer you jobs, but it's tough getting in this side of the game."
The Cutthroats have a "double-A" affiliation agreement with the Avalanche and, unlike the NHL and its labor issues, they are guaranteed to begin play in October at the reconditioned Denver Coliseum.
"We're going to be an NHL-run organization on a CHL budget," Armstrong said. "I've never been an ego type of guy. I'm the head coach of a professional hockey team. Doesn't matter what level, what league. I had a couple looks last year in the AHL, but I didn't want to move my family. This is a great setup with my family and they allow me to get in the business meetings and other stuff. I'm just taking in all the knowledge."
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357, mchambers@denverpost.com or twitter.com/mchambersdp
Have team, will travel
Longtime Littleton resident Derek Armstrong, coach of the Denver Cutthroats, played for 15 professional hockey teams listed below in alphabetical order:
Bern (Swiss-A)
Denver Grizzlies (International Hockey League)
Detroit Vipers (IHL)
Hartford Wolf Pack (American Hockey League)
Los Angeles Kings (NHL)
Manchester Monarchs (AHL)
New York Islanders (NHL)
New York Rangers (NHL)
Ottawa Senators (NHL)
Peoria Rivermen (AHL)
Rapperswil-Jona (Swiss-A)
Salt Lake Golden Eagles (IHL)
St. Louis Blues (NHL)
Utah Grizzlies (IHL)
Worcester IceCats (AHL)
Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
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