JOSH ARCHIBALD
Position: Forward, Arizona Coyotes
Hometown: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
NHL Draft: Selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the sixth round (174th overall) of the 2011 NHL Draft
Acquired: Traded from Pittsburgh on Dec. 19, 2017 with goalie Sean Maguire and sixth-round pick in 2019 NHL Draft to Arizona for goalie Michael Leighton and fourth-round pick in 2019 NHL Draft
Last Amateur Team: University of Nebraska-Omaha (NCHC)
Age: 26

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Arizona Rubber: What’s your favorite hockey memory growing up?
Josh Archibald: When I was younger, back in Bantams, we had a really good team. I grew up in Regina and we won Provincials. Being at that age, it was a lot of fun.

AZR: What’s your favorite memory in the game since leaving junior hockey?
JA: Winning the Stanley Cup with the Penguins (in 2017). That was pretty memorable.

AZR: Who have been the biggest influences on you, both on and off the ice?
JA: Probably my dad, Jim. He’s played at every level I have and also played in the NHL. He knew what it took and pointed me in the right direction. He gave me the guidance that I needed. He played for the old Minnesota North Stars. He only played 16 NHL games (1984-87) and then he got injured and had to call it a career. Yeah, he got there, played some games and scored a little (goal, two assists).

AZR: What’s the best piece of advice you have for young hockey players?
JA: Just never give up. You always have to keep working and work hard. Never give up on your dreams.

AZR: Other than hockey, do you have a favorite sport to play?
JA: Golf. Love playing, and love watching it.

AZR: Do you have any superstitions?
JA: I’m not crazy superstitious. I used to be back in college. Now, I think the biggest thing is that I always put the left side of my equipment on first before my right side.

AZR: What does your game-day routine look like?
JA: Pretty similar to everybody else. You come to the rink and do your pre-game stuff. You go home, eat, have a little bit of a nap. I get to the rink pretty early, so I come here for the game and that’s about it.

AZR: Do you have a favorite meal or restaurant here in the Phoenix area?
JA: We have a one-year-old, so we don’t get out too often. When we do go, there’s a great spot in Scottsdale called Local Bistro. I’m a big chicken parm guy and that’s the best chicken parm I’ve found around here.

AZR: What are some essential items you take on a road trip?
JA: You have to have earphones to listen to music. Otherwise, I’m not too big on things like that. I do carry around a small backpack with earphones and a few other things. Always have to have a piece of gum in case you fall asleep on the plane or the bus. Other than that, that’s about it.

AZR: Did you have a favorite hockey player growing up?
JA: I used to be a Detroit Red Wings fan. Grew up in Saskatchewan and there was no home team really for me, but Steve Yzerman was a big influence on me.

Photo/Norm Hall

— Compiled by Mark Brown

(Nov. 14, 2018)