Justin Richards (ice hockey)
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Orlando, Florida, U.S.
| Justin Richards | |||
|---|---|---|---|
_by_Sandro_Halank–113.jpg) Richards with the Düsseldorfer EG in 2025 | |||
| Born |
March 17, 1998 Orlando, Florida, U.S. | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||
| Weight | 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb) | ||
| Position | Center | ||
| Shoots | Right | ||
| DEL team Former teams |
Düsseldorfer EG New York Rangers Columbus Blue Jackets | ||
| NHL draft | Undrafted | ||
| Playing career | 2021–present | ||
Justin Todd Richards[1] (born March 17, 1998) is an American professional ice hockey forward for Düsseldorfer EG of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).
Richards played college ice hockey at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.[2] On April 2, 2020, Richards signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL).[3] He spent the majority of the 2020–21 season with Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL), the Rangers' AHL affiliate.[2][4] Richards made his NHL debut for the Rangers on May 8, 2021, against the Boston Bruins.[5][4] Richards recorded his first NHL point in that game assisting on a goal by K'Andre Miller.[5]
As a free agent from the Rangers following the 2021–22 season, Richards continued his professional career in the AHL, signing a one-year deal with the Cleveland Monsters, the primary affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets, on 29 August 2022.[6] In the 2022–23 season, Richards emerged as an offensive leader with the Monsters, collecting 17 points through his first 23 games. He was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 19, 2022.[7] Richards made his Blue Jackets debut on April 1, 2023 against the Florida Panthers.
At the conclusion of his contract with the Blue Jackets, Richards was signed as a free agent to a one-year, two-way contract with the Buffalo Sabres on July 1, 2023.[8]
Following his fourth professional season in North America, Richards as a free agent from the Sabres opted to pursue a career abroad in signing a one-year contract with German club, Düsseldorfer EG of the DEL, on August 6, 2024.[9]
Personal life
Richards is the son of former ice hockey player, Todd Richards, and is the nephew of Travis Richards.[10]