Mike Richards Canadian ice hockey player, center forward and captain of the Philadelphia Flyers Date of Birth: 11.02.1985 Country: Canada

Biography of Mike Richards

Mike Richards is a Canadian ice hockey player who currently serves as the captain of the Philadelphia Flyers in the National Hockey League. He started his hockey career playing for the Kitchener Rangers in the Ontario Hockey League in 2001-02. Richards played for the Rangers for two seasons and helped the team win the Memorial Cup in 2003, leading all other teams with 87 points.

In the summer of 2003, Richards was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers during the 24th NHL draft. Despite being drafted, Richards played two more seasons with the Rangers. During these two seasons, his team fought for another Cup but lost to the London Knights in the Ontario Hockey League semifinals. After the loss, Richards played for the Philadelphia Phantoms in the final series of the American Hockey League.

In the following season, Richards made his NHL debut with the Flyers. On October 5, 2005, he scored his first goal against the New York Rangers. On February 15, 2006, Richards scored three goals during a game against the New York Islanders, becoming the first Flyers rookie since Mikael Renberg in 1994 to achieve this feat. He finished his first NHL season with 34 points in 79 games and was among the top three players of the season.

In 2007, Richards had to reduce his participation in the second season due to a stomach operation. However, in 2007-08, after scoring 75 points, he was recognized as the leading player of the Philadelphia Flyers. He was selected as an alternate captain at the beginning of the season and signed a 12-year contract worth $69 million on December 13, 2007. Following the contract signing, Richards was selected to participate in the 2008 NHL All-Star Game in Atlanta.

During a playoff game against the Washington Capitals in the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs, Richards scored a power play goal. He became the third player in NHL history to score the first goal of the final series on a power play. Richards concluded the 2008 playoff series with 14 points in 17 games. After facing the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2009 finals, Richards was awarded the Selke Trophy, which is annually presented to the best defensive forward in the NHL.

On April 20, 2009, it was announced that Richards needed surgery on both shoulders. He had been experiencing discomfort during training sessions and had been taking anti-inflammatory medication throughout the season. The 2009-10 season started well for Richards as he scored five goals in the first three games. However, during a game against the Florida Panthers on October 24, 2009, Richards hit the head of player David Booth with his shoulder. Booth lost consciousness and had to be quickly taken off the ice for medical attention. Richards was ejected from the game for unsportsmanlike conduct but was not excluded from the NHL.

Since October 2009, Richards has had no relationship with the Philadelphia press. He has ignored any contact with local media after he was asked if forward Jeff Carter's departure to the Anaheim Ducks was a result of frequent partying, which many Flyers players were accused of. Throughout the season, there were several accusations of excessive drinking by Richards and Carter. Richards stated in an interview with the Philadelphia Daily News that all the allegations of drinking were fabricated.

On February 1, 2010, Richards scored his 100th goal as a member of the NHL.