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The Newest Los Angeles King: Mike Richards

Sarah Sotoodeh |
July 9, 2011 | 5:22 p.m. PDT

Staff Writer

 

As a former Flyers' captain, Richards is sure to make a quick impact in Los Angeles. (Bridget Samuels via Creative Commons)
As a former Flyers' captain, Richards is sure to make a quick impact in Los Angeles. (Bridget Samuels via Creative Commons)
Mike Richards, 26, was traded on June 23 from the Philadelphia Flyers to the Los Angeles Kings. Wayne Simmonds and Brandon Schenn were traded to the Flyers in the deal, along with Los Angeles’ 2012 second-round draft pick.

The trade will no doubt boost the Kings offense. The 5-foot-11-inch center, who hails from Kenora, Ontario, Canada, had 66 points in the 2010-11 season.  

In 2007 the Flyers signed him to a 12-year contract worth almost $70 million.

Drafted in 2003 by Philadelphia, Richards has never played for any other team until now.

 “I’m not sure how I am going to fit in, but I like the makeup of the team,” Richards told kings.nhl.com.  “They have a lot of skill: two great goaltenders up to the defense who are skilled and play the game hard.  Then you have a lot of depth at the forward positions, too.”

He served as captain of the Flyers for three years and was a member of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic gold medal Canadian hockey team. Last season Richards had 23 goals and 43 assists in the 81 games he played with the Flyers.

He played in the 2008 NHL All-Star Game and was the recipient of the Bobby Clarke Trophy in the 2007-08 and 2008-09 season, which is awarded to the Flyers’ MVP every year.   He also received the Gene Hart Memorial Award in the 2007-08 season, which is given to the Flyers’ fan favorite.

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