The next season, Richards would join the Blackhawks and would go on to win his second Stanley Cup while playing a bottom-six role on Chicago’s roster. I had many incredible teammates and made many great friendships along the way that I truly appreciate, and I will never forget the great times we had together.
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This comes after a lengthy National Hockey League career, during which he played for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars, Chicago Blackhawks, and Detroit Red Wings. Richards also won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in the 2003-04 season as a “player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability”.
With Richards hanging up his skates, he along with Pavel Datsyuk and Vincent Lecavalier mark the end of an era for the 1998 draft.
The native of Murray Harbour, P.E.I., was a member of the Lightning’s Stanley Cup-winning squad in 2004, when he captured the Conn Smythe Trophy after he totalled 12 goals and 26 points in 23 post-season games to lead all skaters in scoring.
He played 1,126 regular-season games, collecting 298 goals and 634 assists.
In the summer of 2011, Richards was regarded as the NHL’s top free-agent prize and made a splash in signing a nine-year, $60 million contract with the Rangers. He lost a close vote to Evgeni Nabokov. “Nothing compares to enjoying that night with your team and knowing what you have accomplished together”. Richards was instrumental in the New York Rangers reaching the 2014 Stanley Cup Final.
Richards, 36. played for five teams during his career, also suiting up for the Stars, Blackhawks and Red Wings.
In 2011, Richards signed a nine-year, $60 million deal with NY.
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“Most importantly, I want to thank my mom (Delite) and dad (Glen) and my sister (Paige) for being behind me since I was a young child. And of course, my wife, Rechelle and son, Luca, now for making this decision easier because I will be able to spend more time with them”.
