Wednesday, July 22, 2020
Brad Richardson- Arizona Coyotes
I have
always made a practice of following local athletes once they begin
their professional careers. I can usually tell you, without
researching, how old they are, and how many games they have played,
especially with hockey players. Then again, we all know how time
flies.
I was
astounded to read that Belleville's Brad Richardson had played 808
games in the National Hockey League, and that he is now 35 years old.
It seems like yesterday that he was drafted in the Ontario Hockey
League by the Owen Sound Attack, after playing one game with the
Wellington Dukes. Following four impressive seasons with the Attack,
he was chosen in the fifth round by the Colorado Avalanche. He split
the next season with the Lowell Lake Monsters and the Avalanche. With
the exception of brief AHL stints in Albany, Lake Erie, and
Manchester, he has spent his entire 15 year career in the NHL.
He inked his
contract with the Coyotes on July 1, 2015. Prior to that, he spent
two seasons with the Canucks, five seasons with the Los Angeles
Kings, and 3 with the Avalanche. It was in the spring of 2012 that he
raised the Stanley Cup above his head with the Kings.
Fast forward
to 2020. When this season came to an abrupt halt, Brad took the
opportunity to head to Philadelphia for some hip surgery, and other
adjustments. As is the case with all professional athletes, he had
been playing with some pain. “It is something you just do,” he
told me from Scottsdale, Arizona. “I just wasn't able to do things
I was able to do last season.” He had 19 goals in 2018-2019. It was
in the 2016-2017 season that he had his most serious injury when he
broke his fibula, his thigh bone. Only after much rehabilitation did
Richardson return the following season, to play 70 games.
He is
spending his time going to the facilities at the rink to rehab
following the surgery. “Unfortunately, the ice is out,” he
remarked. He is also enjoying the time he is spending with his
daughter. “It is warm, 100 degrees Fahrenheit, every day. But we
get out, and the training wheels are off!” He is also happy that
the restaurants there are now open, safe-distancing still in order.
The Coyotes'
Guide Book says this about Brad: “He is known for his versatility,
Physical play, energy, defense, and solid face-off work”. Not
mentioned specifically is his exceptional skating ability, and all of
his coaches took note of this to use him to kill penalties.
He is often
paired with Michael Grabner in this regard. The Austrian native is in
his second year with the Coyotes, following stints with the Devils,
the Rangers, the Leafs, the Islanders and the Canucks. “He's a
great guy, and we have had good chemistry together.”
In one game
before the break, the Coyotes faced the Florida Panthers. Standing in
the slot, Richardson took a pass from behind the net and rifled a
shot at Sergei Bobrovsky. The rebound hopped over Mike Hoffman's
stick, directly back to Richardson. He made no mistake with it,
bending the twine behind the Panthers' goal keeper. It was his sixth
goal this season.
“Playing
through injuries, and continuing on afterward, is always a challenge.
I plan to have a really long career.”
Once I had
checked the record, I think he has had a pretty good start with that
concept!
I assume you
are doing your morning stretches, preparing for the golf season.
Courses are now open. There was a match Sunday, on television. No
fans, just the wind and the birds in the background. Plenty of money
was raised for Covid 19 virus research. NASCAR also opened up, minus
the spectators. Hopefully we will be able to
May 19,
2020.
# posted by James Hurst @ 6:44 AM 
