Brad Richards facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brad Richards
Richards with the Chicago Blackhawks in December 2014
Born	(1980-05-02) May 2, 1980 (age 45) Murray Harbour, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	198 lb (90 kg; 14 st 2 lb)
Position	Centre
Shot	Left
Played for	Tampa Bay Lightning Dallas Stars New York Rangers Chicago Blackhawks Detroit Red Wings Ak Bars Kazan
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	64th overall, 1998 Tampa Bay Lightning
Playing career	2000–2016

Brad Richards is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played as a centre. Richards was chosen by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 1998 NHL Draft. He played for several teams in the National Hockey League (NHL). These teams included the Lightning, New York Rangers, Dallas Stars, Chicago Blackhawks, and Detroit Red Wings.

Richards won the Stanley Cup twice. He won in 2004 with the Lightning. For his amazing play during those playoffs, he won the Conn Smythe Trophy. This award goes to the most valuable player in the playoffs. He also won the Stanley Cup in 2015 with the Blackhawks.

Early Hockey Days

Brad Richards grew up in Murray Harbour, Prince Edward Island. When he was 14, he met Vincent Lecavalier at a special school called Athol Murray College of Notre Dame. This school in Wilcox, Saskatchewan, was known for its great hockey program. They were roommates and became close friends. They were also the youngest players on their hockey team.

Later, Brad and Vincent played together for the Rimouski Océanic in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). They also became teammates on the Tampa Bay Lightning. Vincent even suggested that the Lightning draft Brad.

In his last year with Rimouski, Brad won many awards. He led the QMJHL with 186 points. He was named the best offensive player in the league. He also won awards for being the best player in the entire Canadian Hockey League (CHL). In the playoffs, he was named the MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the QMJHL playoffs. His team, the Océanic, won the QMJHL championship and the Memorial Cup. The Memorial Cup is a big trophy for junior hockey teams in Canada.

Playing in the NHL (2000–2016)

Tampa Bay Lightning (2000–2008)

Richards with the Tampa Bay Lightning in January 2006

The Tampa Bay Lightning picked Brad Richards in the 1998 NHL Draft. He was the 64th player chosen overall. In that same draft, the Lightning picked Vincent Lecavalier first overall.

During the 2003–04 NHL season, the Lightning won their first Stanley Cup. Brad was a huge part of their win. He earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs. He set a record by scoring seven game-winning goals in those playoffs. He also won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy that season. This award is for the player who shows the best sportsmanship and skill. Later that year, he helped Team Canada win the World Cup of Hockey.

On September 26, 2004, the Rimouski Océanic team retired Brad's jersey number. This means no other player on that team will ever wear his number again. It's a big honor!

During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, when NHL games were paused, Brad played for Ak Bars Kazan in Russia. He played with many other NHL stars there. He also played for Team Canada at the 2006 Olympics. After the 2006 playoffs, the Lightning signed Brad to a new five-year contract.

Dallas Stars (2008–2011)

On February 26, 2008, Brad was traded to the Dallas Stars. This was a big trade! In his first game with the Stars, Brad set a team record. He had five assists in one game. Dallas won that game against the Chicago Blackhawks 7–4. Brad was named the best player of the game.

In the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs, Brad tied an NHL record. He scored four points in just one period against the San Jose Sharks.

During the 2008–09 NHL season, Brad played 55 games. He scored 16 goals and had 48 points. Then, he broke his wrist and missed 15 games. When he came back, he broke his other hand! He missed the rest of the season.

In the 2009–10 NHL season, Brad had his best year ever. He scored 91 points, matching his personal high. He played mostly with Loui Eriksson and James Neal. Brad finished seventh in the NHL for points. He was also a finalist for the Lady Byng Trophy again.

New York Rangers (2011–2014)

Richards with the New York Rangers in October 2011

After his contract ended, Brad became a free agent. This meant he could sign with any team. On July 2, 2011, he signed a nine-year contract with the New York Rangers. This reunited him with John Tortorella, who was his coach when the Lightning won the Stanley Cup in 2004.

On October 8, 2011, Brad scored his first goal as a Ranger. He had 25 goals and 41 assists in his first season. In the playoffs, he scored six goals and had nine assists. The Rangers made it to the third round of the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs.

On April 19, 2013, Brad scored his first career NHL hat-trick. A hat-trick is when a player scores three goals in one game.

On March 5, 2014, the Rangers got Martin St. Louis. This brought Brad and Martin back together. They were teammates when the Lightning won the cup in 2004. Brad and Martin helped the Rangers reach the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals. They lost to the Los Angeles Kings in five games.

On June 20, 2014, the Rangers ended Brad's contract early. This made him a free agent again.

Chicago Blackhawks (2014–2015)

On July 1, 2014, Brad signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. He wore number 91 for the Blackhawks. His usual number 19 was already worn by the team captain, Jonathan Toews. On November 16, 2014, Brad played his 1,000th NHL game. This was against his old team, the Dallas Stars. In 76 games with the Blackhawks, Brad scored 12 goals and had 25 assists.

The Blackhawks, with Brad, played against one of his former teams, the Tampa Bay Lightning, in the 2015 Stanley Cup Finals. Chicago won the series in six games. This gave Brad his second Stanley Cup! He helped set up a goal by Patrick Kane in the final game, which sealed the win.

Detroit Red Wings (2015–2016)

On July 1, 2015, Brad signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings. His traditional number 19 was retired for Steve Yzerman in Detroit. So, Brad chose to wear number 17.

The Red Wings just barely made the playoffs for the 25th year in a row. Brad scored a game-tying goal against his former Rangers teammates on March 12. The Red Wings later won that game in overtime. He finished the season with 10 goals and 18 assists in 68 games. In the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs, Brad scored one goal. The Red Wings were eliminated by the Lightning in the first round.

On July 20, 2016, Brad Richards announced he was retiring from professional hockey. He said that winning the Stanley Cups in Tampa Bay and Chicago was the best part of his career. He said he would never forget those moments.

Coaching Career

On December 12, 2023, Brad Richards became a consultant for the St. Louis Blues. He joined them after their former head coach was fired.

Personal Life

During the off-season, Brad Richards goes back to his hometown of Murray Harbour, Prince Edward Island. He has hosted a golf tournament there for many years. This event helps two charities: the Children's Wish Foundation and the Autism Society of Prince Edward Island. He is friends with Ron MacLean, a famous hockey TV host.

When he played for the Rangers, Brad lived in an apartment in Manhattan.

Brad used to rent a special suite at the St. Pete Times Forum (now Amalie Arena) for Tampa Bay Lightning games. He invited families dealing with pediatric cancer to use it. After each game, he would visit the children who came to watch. He started this in 2002 and continued until 2008. When he moved to the Dallas Stars, he kept helping sick children. He also gives tickets to every home game to military members.

In September 2010, Brad donated $500,000 to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown, PEI.

Brad and his wife, Rechelle, have two children. Brad speaks both English and French.

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International Play

Medal record
Representing  Canada
World Cup
Gold	2004 Canada
World Junior Championships
Bronze	2000 Sweden

Awards and Honors

Records

• Most game-winning goals in a single playoffs season (7; 2004)

See also

• List of NHL players with 1000 games played