Joshua Archibald (born October 6, 1992) is a Canadian-born American professional ice hockey right winger who is currently an unrestricted free agent. Archibald was selected by the Penguins in the sixth round (174th overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Josh Archibald
Archibald with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs
Born (1992-10-06) October 6, 1992 (age 32)
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight 176 lb (80 kg; 12 st 8 lb)
Position Right Wing
Shot Right
team
Former teams
Free agent
Pittsburgh Penguins
Arizona Coyotes
Edmonton Oilers
NHL draft 174th overall, 2011
Pittsburgh Penguins
Playing career 2014–present

Early life

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Archibald was born in Regina, Saskatchewan.[1] His father Jim Archibald was a notorious Enforcer for the North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockey team in college, setting the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) record for penalty minutes before joining the Minnesota North Stars of the National Hockey League.[2] His mother Anne also attended the University of North Dakota, where she was part of the school's swim team.[3] Archibald grew up in Lumsden, Saskatchewan, a small town in the Qu'Appelle Valley, and he played minor ice hockey for the Balgonie Prairie Storm and, briefly, the Moose Jaw AAA Warriors of the Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League.[4]

When he was 15 years old, Archibald and his family moved to Brainerd, Minnesota, where he continued to play ice hockey for Brainerd High School.[5] As a senior in 2011, Archibald set a Brainerd single-season scoring record with 78 points, and his 152 career points for the Brainerd Warriors was the second-highest in program history.[6] Also in 2011, Archibald was a finalist for Minnesota's Mr. Hockey award, given to the top graduating high school ice hockey player in the state. The award that year went to Kyle Rau, then with Eden Prairie High School.[7]

Playing career

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NCAA

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He then played college hockey at the University of Nebraska Omaha from 2011 to 2014. He was selected as the WCHA Rookie of the Week in November 2011.[8] At Nebraska Omaha, Archibald played on a line with future Pittsburgh Penguins teammate Jake Guentzel.[9] In 2013–14, Archibald was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, marking him as one of the ten best players in men's college hockey;[10] he was also named All-NCHC First Team,[11] and won the NCHC's Player of the Year and Forward of the Year awards.[12]

Professional

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Pittsburgh Penguins

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On May 16, 2014, Archibald signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins.[13] Archibald made his NHL debut on March 5, 2016, in a home game against the Calgary Flames[14] but was soon reassigned to the Penguins AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

He was recalled back to the Penguins on February 11, 2017, which is also when he scored his first 2 NHL goals in a game against the Arizona Coyotes. However, he was returned to the Penguins AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins two games later. He was recalled to the Pittsburgh in late March and competed in the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals, lifting the Stanley Cup after teammate Jake Guentzel.[15]

On July 12, 2017, Archibald re-signed with the Penguins on a two-year, one-way contract with an average annual value of $675,000.[16][17]

In the 2017–18 season, Archibald made the Penguins' opening night roster. On December 1, 2017, he was reassigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for a conditioning stint.[18]

Arizona Coyotes

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On December 19, 2017, the Penguins traded Archibald, along with Sean Maguire and a 6th-round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Michael Leighton and a fourth-round pick in 2019. This trade's purpose was to clear space for a follow-up trade which brought defenceman Jamie Oleksiak to Pittsburgh from Dallas.[19]

The Coyotes chose not to tender Archibald a qualifying offer after the 2018–19 season, and he was released into free agency.[20]

Edmonton Oilers

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On July 16, 2019, the Edmonton Oilers signed Archibald to a one-year contract.[21] Shortly into the 2019–20 season, while playing on the checking line with Riley Sheahan and Jujhar Khaira, he fractured his right foot under unspecified circumstances.[22] Even after his return, he did not score a goal until December 1, when he was promoted to the top line alongside Connor McDavid. Archibald received a shot from Darnell Nurse to help put the Oilers up 5–2 over the Vancouver Canucks.[23] Although he was not a permanent fixture on the top line, Archibald was often the first to be promoted during the 2019–20 season when one of McDavid's usual partners was unavailable.[24] On March 7, 2020, the Oilers signed Archibald to a two-year contract extension that would take him through the 2021–22 season.[25] The following week, the NHL chose to suspend the regular season indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic;[26] at the time of the pause, Archibald had 12 goals and 21 points in 62 games.[27] When the NHL resumed play for the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs in July, Archibald was one of 31 Oilers invited into the Edmonton "bubble".[28] There, the Oilers lost the qualifying round 3-1 against the Chicago Blackhawks.[29]

On October 3, 2021, Oilers medical staff announced that Archibald would be out indefinitely because of myocarditis, which developed after he contracted COVID-19 during the summer of 2021.[30] By March 12, 2022, he had made a full recovery and returned to the Oilers line up. However, he would be limited by the travel restrictions Canada currently has in place for unvaccinated people crossing the border. He was able to participate in eight of the final twenty-four games of the regular season, largely in a fourth-line role.[31] The Oilers qualified for the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs, and Archibald participated in the team's deep run to the Western Conference Final, where they lost to the Colorado Avalanche in four games.[32]

Return to Pittsburgh

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As a free agent from the Oilers, Archibald returned to his original club, the Pittsburgh Penguins, after signing a one-year, $900,000 contract on July 13, 2022.[33]

Tampa Bay Lightning

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On July 1, 2023, Archibald signed as a free agent to a two-year, $1.6 million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning.[34] On September 9, 2023, it was announced by Lightning General Manager, Julien BriseBois, that Josh Archibald was “placed on unconditional waivers… for the purpose of terminating his contract” following talks with Archibald and his agent where it was made clear that Josh would not be playing hockey for unspecified reasons.[35]

International career

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Archibald holds dual citizenship for both Canada and the United States, choosing to play for the Americans in international competition.

Archibald played with Team USA at the 2012 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[36]

Personal life

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Archibald was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, but grew up in Brainerd, Minnesota and is a dual citizen of both Canada and the United States. His father, Jim Archibald, played in the NHL with the Minnesota North Stars during the mid-1980s.[37]

In June 2016, he married Bailey Baxter.[38] They had met at the University of Nebraska Omaha. Their first child, Brecken Carter Archibald, was born in August 2017.[39][40] On August 30, 2017, Brecken, at 3 weeks old, was baptized in the Stanley Cup.[41]

After COVID-19 infection in summer 2021, Archibald developed myocarditis. He was out for most of the 2021/22 season but rejoined the Oilers in March 2022.[42][43]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2009–10 Brainerd High USHS 27 22 35 57 74
2010–11 Brainerd High USHS 27 30 48 78 40
2011–12 Omaha Mavericks WCHA 36 10 5 15 33
2012–13 Omaha Mavericks WCHA 39 19 17 36 34
2013–14 Omaha Mavericks NCHC 37 29 14 43 62
2013–14 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 7 1 0 1 13 2 1 0 1 0
2014–15 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 45 5 8 13 24 3 0 1 1 0
2014–15 Wheeling Nailers ECHL 9 7 4 11 4
2015–16 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 69 9 9 18 75 10 1 0 1 10
2015–16 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 1 0 0 0 0
2016–17 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 61 16 13 29 54 5 2 0 2 16
2016–17 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 10 3 0 3 4 4 0 0 0 2
2017–18 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 3 0 0 0 0
2017–18 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 6 1 2 3 4
2017–18 Arizona Coyotes NHL 39 5 6 11 25
2018–19 Arizona Coyotes NHL 68 12 10 22 15
2019–20 Edmonton Oilers NHL 62 12 9 21 12 4 1 0 1 4
2020–21 Edmonton Oilers NHL 52 7 6 13 37 3 0 0 0 2
2021–22 Edmonton Oilers NHL 8 0 1 1 7 13 0 1 1 4
2022–23 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 62 6 6 12 43
NHL totals 305 45 38 83 143 24 1 1 2 12

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2012 United States WJC 7th 6 0 2 2 6
Junior totals 6 0 2 2 6

Awards and honors

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Award Year
College
All-NCHC First Team 2014 [44]
AHCA West First-Team All-American 2014
NHL
Stanley Cup champion 2017 [45]

References

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  1. ^ "Josh Archibald Stats and News". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  2. ^ Matheson, Jim (November 29, 2019). "Oilers penalty killer Josh Archibald plays hard just like his dad used to". Edmonton Sun. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  3. ^ Halverson, Brian (February 14, 2014). "Path to success is unique for Nebraska Omaha's Josh Archibald". Minnesota Hockey Magazine. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  4. ^ Nugent-Bowman, Daniel (March 6, 2020). "How 'little firecracker' Josh Archibald went from unknown to vital with Oilers". The Athletic. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  5. ^ Russo, Michael (June 8, 2017). "Branerd's Josh Archibald relishes his rare chance with Penguins". Star Tribune. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  6. ^ Nelson, Sarah (April 13, 2011). "Archibald makes it official – he's playing for Nebraska-Omaha". Brainerd Dispatch. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  7. ^ "Prep hockey: Eden Prairie's Rau named Mr. Hockey". Duluth News Tribune. March 14, 2011. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  8. ^ Josh Archibald WCHA Rookie of Week – Lakeland News Sports – November 15, 2011.m4v. YouTube. November 15, 2011.
  9. ^ "Brainerd's Josh Archibald relishes his rare chance with Penguins". Star Tribune.
  10. ^ "Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation - Hobey Baker Memorial Award Announces Top Ten Finalists". March 20, 2014. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014.
  11. ^ "Inaugural All-Conference Teams Revealed". NCHC. March 12, 2014. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  12. ^ "Archibald, Dowd, LaLeggia Headline NCHC Award Winners". NCHC. March 20, 2014. Archived from the original on March 28, 2016. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  13. ^ "Penguins Sign Forward Josh Archibald to an Entry-Level Contract". NHL.com.
  14. ^ "Penguins Recall Forward Josh Archibald". NHL.com. Pittsburgh Penguins. February 10, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  15. ^ Coe, Brian (August 4, 2017). "A YEAR IN THE LIFE : JOSH ARCHIBALD". wbspenguins.com. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Archived from the original on August 10, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  16. ^ "Penguins Re-Sign Forward Josh Archibald and Defenseman Derrick Pouliot". NHL.com. September 30, 2023.
  17. ^ "One-way contract 'icing on the cake' for Archibald". NHL.com. September 30, 2023.
  18. ^ "Josh Archibald Assigned to WBS on a Conditioning Assignment". NHL.com. Pittsburgh Penguins. December 1, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  19. ^ "Coyotes Acquire Archibald and Maguire from Pittsburgh". NHL.com. December 19, 2017. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  20. ^ Layman, Matt (July 2, 2019). "Arizona Coyotes re-sign restricted free agent F Lawson Crouse". Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  21. ^ "Release: Oilers sign free agent Archibald". National Hockey League. Edmonton Oilers. July 16, 2019. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  22. ^ Staples, David (October 25, 2019). "Josh Archibald out with broken foot, so where do Edmonton Oilers now turn?". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  23. ^ Van Diest, Derek (December 2, 2019). "Josh Archibald makes most of his promotion with Edmonton Oilers". Edmonton Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  24. ^ Van Diest, Derek (March 2, 2020). "Archibald back on Edmonton Oilers' top line". Edmonton Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  25. ^ "Release: Oilers sign Josh Archibald to contract extension". National Hockey League. Edmonton Oilers. March 6, 2020. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  26. ^ "NHL to pause season due to coronavirus". National Hockey League. March 12, 2020. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  27. ^ Van Diest, Derek (October 13, 2020). "Van Diest: Edmonton Oilers have similar look up front for next NHL season". Edmonton Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  28. ^ "Blog: Oilers finalize roster for Stanley Cup qualifiers". National Hockey League. Edmonton Oilers. July 26, 2020. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  29. ^ Staples, David (August 7, 2020). "Player grades: Coaching mistakes and iffy defence as Edmonton Oilers eliminated from playoffs". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  30. ^ Spector, Mark (October 3, 2021). "Oilers' Josh Archibald out indefinitely with heart condition". Sportsnet. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  31. ^ Couch, Rob (May 8, 2022). "Oilers Fortunate to Get Archibald in the Lineup in Elevated Role". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  32. ^ Spector, Mark (June 7, 2022). "Despite disappointing exit, Oilers learn valuable lessons from Avalanche". Sportsnet. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  33. ^ "Penguins sign Josh Archibald to a one-year contract". Pittsburgh Penguins. July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  34. ^ "Lightning sign free agent forward Josh Archibald". Tampa Bay Lightning. July 1, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  35. ^ "Lightning statement regarding forward Josh Archibald". Tampa Bay Lightning. September 9, 2023. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  36. ^ Denton (Denny) Newman Jr. "Archibald makes Team USA". Brainerd Dispatch. Archived from the original on October 21, 2017. Retrieved December 27, 2011.
  37. ^ "Jim Archibald". Elite Prospects.
  38. ^ "Instagram post by bailey archibald • Jun 27, 2016 at 12:51am UTC". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021.
  39. ^ Mackey, Jason (July 13, 2017). "Dad-to-be Josh Archibald is thrilled with the 'guarantee-ness' of his Penguins one-way deal". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
  40. ^ "Instagram post by bailey archibald • Aug 8, 2017 at 12:19am UTC". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021.
  41. ^ "Archibald has son baptized in Stanley Cup". NHL.com. NHL. August 30, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  42. ^ "Oilers Forward Josh Archibald Out Indefinitely with Myocarditis". The Hockey News.
  43. ^ "Josh Archibald "out indefinitely" with post-COVID myocarditis; Oilers cut 5 others".
  44. ^ "NCHC announces All-Conference players, All-Rookie Team". USCHO.com. March 12, 2014.
  45. ^ "Penguins repeat as Stanley Cup champions". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. June 11, 2017. Retrieved June 11, 2017.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Award Created
NCHC Player of the Year
2013–14
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Award Created
NCHC Forward of the Year
2013–14
Succeeded by