Joshua Archibald, born on October 6, 1992, is a Canadian-born American former professional ice hockey right winger. This article delves into his hockey journey, from his early days to his professional career in the NHL.
Early Life and Career
Archibald was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, but grew up in Brainerd, Minnesota, holding dual citizenship in both Canada and the United States. 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. 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. 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.
College Hockey at the University of Nebraska Omaha (2011-2014)
He then played college hockey at the University of Nebraska Omaha from 2011 to 2014.
- Appeared in 36 games for UNO to rank second among all rookies.
- One of five players to score 10 or more goals.
- Had a goal in a 4-1 exhibition win over British Columbia on Oct. 1.
- Scored his first collegiate goal in his first collegiate game against Mercyhurst on Oct. 7.
- Had a goal against Colgate on Oct. 8.
- Notched his first collegiate assist against Alaska Anchorage on Oct. 22.
- Scored a powerplay goal against Colorado College on Nov. 4.
- Had the game’s first goal and an assist at Bemidji State on Nov. 11.
- Notched a goal and an assist at Bemidji State on Nov. 12.
- Was named the WCHA Rookie of the Week on Nov. 15 for scoring two goals and two assists at BSU.
- Scored a goal at Denver on Nov. 18 and had another goal the following night (Nov.
- in the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championships in Alberta, earning two assists.
- Snapped a seven-game drought with an empty net goal against Minnesota Duluth on Jan. 14.
- Had two goals and an assist at Minnesota State on Jan.
Scored a goal against Northern Michigan on Oct. 20...had a goal and an assist against Bemidji State on Oct. 26...registered his third straight game with a goal, scoring against Bemidji State on Oct. 27...had two goals at Michigan Tech on Nov. 3, his second career two-goal game...scored a goal agianst Minnesota Duluth on Nov. 10...had two assists against Minnesota Duluth on Nov. 11...had the game-winning goal and assisted on the other two at Minnesota on Nov. 30...had two assists at St. Cloud State on Dec. 7...had UNO’s first hat trick in nearly two years when he scored three against Colorado College on Jan. 4...had another goal against Colorado College on Jan. 5 to reach a new career high for goals in a season...had a goal at Denver on Jan. 11...scored another goal at Denver on Jan. 12...scored a goal at Bemidji State on Jan. 26...scored a goal against Michigan Tech on Feb. 2...had a powerplay goal against North Dakota on Feb. 9...had 10-game point streak (9-3-12) snapped on Feb. 15...had a powerplay goal and an assist at Alaska Anchorage on Feb.
Scored a goal in the season opener against Bentley (Oct. 11)...had an empty-net goal and an assist against Bentley (Oct. 12)...scored a powerplay goal and had an assist at Northern Michigan (Oct. 19)...scored a goal on a penalty shot against Cornell (Oct. 25)...scored the overtime game-winning goal and had two assists at Denver (Nov. 1)...scored the overtime game-winning goal for the second straight night at Denver (Nov. 2)...was named the NCHC Offensive Player of the Week for his 2-2-4 line at Denver (Nov. 4)...scored an empty net goal against North Dakota (Nov. 9)...had a powerplay goal against North Dakota (Nov. 10)...scored the game winning goal against Michigan (Nov. 15), the last game of a team season-high five-game goal-scoring streak...had a powerplay goal against Miami to become the first NCHC player to 10 goals (Nov. 22)...scored the game-tying goal, and assist and scored the deciding goal in a shootout at Colorado College (Dec. 7)...had two goals at New Hampshire (Jan. 3)...had a goal and an assist the following night at New Hampshire (Jan. 4)...was named the NCHC Offensive Player of the Week (Jan.6) for his efforts at UNH...had UNO’s first hat trick of the season at Miami (Jan. 18)...was UNO’s first hat trick since he notched three vs. Colorado College (Jan. 4, 2013)...scored a goal against St. Cloud State (Jan. 31)...had three assists against St. Cloud State the following night (Feb. 1)...scored his second hat trick of the season and had an assist at North Dakota (Feb. 8) and in the process, set a new career high for goals in a season and reached 50 career goals, becoming the sixth Maverick all-time to reach the milestone...also set a new team season high for points in a game...had two goals, including the game winner, against Denver (Feb. 14)...scored a goal and an assist at Western Michigan (Feb. 21)...had two more goals at Western Michigan (Feb. 22) and is now one goal from tying the school record for goals in a season (27)...named the NCHC Offensive Player of the Week for the third time for his efforts at Western Michigan (Feb. 24)...had two goals and an assist against Colorado College (Feb.
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NHL Career
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. In the 2017-18 season, Archibald made the Penguins' opening night roster. 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.
On July 16, 2019, the Edmonton Oilers signed Archibald to a one-year contract. 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. Even after his return, he did not score a goal until December 1, when he was promoted to the top line alongside Connor McDavid.
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. 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.
In June 2016, he married Bailey Baxter. They had met at the University of Nebraska Omaha. After COVID-19 infection in summer 2021, Archibald developed myocarditis.
Josh Archibald Player Feature: Maverick Hockey - an NET Sports Feature
NHL Teams Played For:
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| Team | Years |
|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 2017-2018 |
| Arizona Coyotes | 2018-2019 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 2019-2022 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 2023 |
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