Eastern Conference Eye Candy: Colby Armstrong (Atlanta Thrashers)

This week's EC eye candy is a former Pittsburgh Penguin and a fan favorite no matter what team he plays for. A prankster and the best friend / roommate of our own Sidney Crosby, Colby is probably one of the biggest sweethearts in the NHL.

HOCKEY FACTOR:

• born in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, Canada
• plays right wing, shoots left
• played with the WHL Red Deer Rebels; recorded 185 points (76 goals, 109 assists) in 205 career games
• served as the team captain and ranked third on Red Deer (WHL) in scoring with 68 points (27 goals, 41 assists)
• was Pittsburgh's first-round draft choice in 2001 (21st overall)
• spent 4 seasons with the Penguins AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre / Scranton (2002-2006); appeared in 251 games registering 129 points (46 goals, 83 assists)
• made his NHL debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2005
• helped Team Canada win the gold medal in the 2007 World Ice Hockey Championships (WIHC) with the game-winning goal against Finland
• traded to Atlanta (with Erik Christensen, the rights to Angelo Esposito and a first-round selection in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft) for Marian Hossa and Pascal Dupuis on February 26, 2008
• tallied 109 points (41 goals, 68 assists) in 199 career NHL games with Pittsburgh and Atlanta
• serves as one of the two alternate captains for the Atlanta Thrashers

HOTNESS FACTOR:
Colby Joseph Armstrong is considered the "funniest player on the team" according to Thrasher teammate Bryan Little and I'm sure it was the same in Pittsburgh as well, but something tells me that he'd be the funniest no matter what team he'd play for -- that's just Colby and why he's so endearing to so many of his fans, players, and the media!! Army is 6'2 and weighs 187-195 pounds, so he's pretty solid and can pack a punch when he hits someone on the ice.

He was recently featured in "Ask A Thrasher" and answered questions submitted by fans and here are a few of the highlights:

His favorite thing to do in Atlanta on his time off is take his three "golden doodles," Teddy, Duke, and Baby, to the dog park (can't you just see that?!); his roommate on the road is Rich Peverley; his favorite hockey team growing up was the Montreal Canadiens (I think that's just a given for any Canadien, but I could be wrong!); he enjoyed the long winters when growing up in Saskatchewan because he got to play hockey alot; and his favorite song to dance to is Beyonce's "All the Single Ladies!"

To read the entire Q&A, visit the Thrashers webpage!!