 Second-year forward John Armstrong is this week's player in “Breaking the Ice with…” The feature will be a season long series on plymouthwhalers.com and showcase a different Whaler each week so we can get to know them better.
Selected in the 1st round (13th overall) in the 2004 OHL Draft by Plymouth, Armstrong is in his draft year for the NHL. He played against some of the top players in the world when he represented his country for both Under-17 and Under-18 tournaments and got to play against some of the best draft eligible talent last week at the 2006 Home Hardware CHL-NHL Top Prospects Game. The Unionville, Ontario, native took a few minutes during study hall to help us break the ice. » On the best advice he has been given… “Best advice would be two things: first, just always work hard and second, be happy with your accomplishments, but not satisfied.” » On how he started playing hockey… “I began playing hockey with my dad and brother on my backyard rink back home when I was four-years-old.” » On his youth hockey highlight… “Youth hockey highlight would be winning the Silver Stick a couple years in pee wee and bantam.”  » On his most memorable goal…
“My most memorable goal was in an Atom Pee Wee tournament. It was the semi-finals against our archrival team, the Jr. Canadiens, when I played for the Toronto Red Wings. I scored a breakaway goal in overtime to win the game.” » On what championships he has won… “In minor hockey, Silver Stick, the Atom Quebec Tournament, the league championship in the GTHL, and the World Under-18 Championship (Junior World Cup).” » On his best moment in a Whalers uniform… “Best moment for me in a Whalers uniform was scoring my first goal (at Windsor, 11/14/04)." » On who has influenced him in hockey… “My dad, he has been there for me all through my career.” » On representing his country… “The Under-17’s was fun. It was an experience even though we didn’t do so well. I learned a lot from it. The Under-18’s was amazing. It was one of my best hockey experiences.” » On playing in the Top Prospects game… “The Top Prospects Game was a lot of fun. I learned a lot from it. I learned that I’m just as good, if not better, than a lot of the top players my age group. Going into this year, I have been working hard and just trying to play my best.”  » On his most embarrassing hockey moment…
“When Tom Sestito and I ran into each other and I did a flip.” » On being suspended last season… “It was not fun missing those 8 games. It was tough watching my team play, especially when they lost.” » On adjusting to billets… “It was hard at first, but my billets are great and they’ve really been good to me.” » On Cory Tanaka's trade… “I miss Cory, but there are lots of great guys on the team that I can hang out with. I still talk to Cory, but I’m doing fine. Our guys are great.” » On his pre-game routine… “For my pre-game routine, I like to get a good rest, but not sleep in too late. Maybe wake up around 10:30, have breakfast, and then I’ll get a sweat going and get a stretch. Then I’ll go up for a pre-game meal, come back, nap, and get ready to play.” » On the player he most admires… “I most admire Peter Forsberg because he seems to outwork everyone on the ice.” » On staying after the season to finish school… “I didn’t really have much choice, I had to pass all my classes and that was the only way I could do it. My favorite class would be Phys. Ed. classes just because I like sports.” » On if there is anything behind his jersey number… “No, I didn’t have much choice in numbers. My favorite number is 9 and 18 is double 9, so I went with it.”  » On his nicknames…
“All the guys call me Army.” » On his superstitions… “Every game they switch, like if I did one thing the game before and it worked, I’ll try to do it the next.” » On the toughest player he has played against… “Jeff Carter because he would just always power his way through a team.” » On what he'd do if he didn't play hockey… “I really don’t know, maybe something in business. I don’t really think about it.” » On his funniest teammate… “Ryan Stephenson, he’s hilarious.” » On what he brings to the team… “I feel I should work hard every game and make sure the other players on the team see me working and just try my best and try to create offense.” » On the craziest thing that has happened on the road… “The craziest thing that has happened on the road is listening to Krupper (Pete Krupsky) on the mic on the bus just telling jokes and talking about the game.” » On the person he would most like to meet… “I’d most like to meet Wayne Gretzky because he is the best hockey player there ever was.” » On his dream goal… “My dream goal would be against the London Knights because I think they’re the best team in the league. It would be the overtime winning goal in the seventh game of the playoffs.”  » On his dream vacation…
“Somewhere down south like Barbados or Hawaii. I’ve never been there.” » On what one thing he could not live without… “Playing hockey.” » On the rule changes in hockey… “I like the rule changes, but I wish there wouldn’t be so many penalties. I don’t like the games where you are playing all power plays and penalty kills. I find there’s no flow to the game.” » On what TV show he would be on… “I would be on The Bachelor so a lot of girls would like me.” » On what other five players he would want on the ice with him… “I’d play with Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux because they are the best forwards in my opinion. Bobby Orr on defense with someone tough like Rob Blake and in goal, Martin Brodeur.” -Natalie Shaver, January 24th, 2006- -- Other Players' "Breaking the Ice" Features -- | 
