Bill Armstrong and André Tourigny go back almost 20 years, when Armstrong was out on the road scouting prospects in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, and Tourigny was coaching major junior hockey in the Canadian town.
Armstrong, now the Arizona Coyotes General Manager, told a story of how he noticed Tourigny after a game at a small-town restaurant and bar with his team, fascinated by Tourigny's ability to interact with young players while being able to get the most out of them on the ice.
That stayed with Armstrong, who on Thursday sat beside Tourigny at Gila River Arena to officially welcome him as new head coach of the Coyotes.