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**swflyers8** · 04-28-2009, 10:00 PM

Mike Richards, Philadelphia Flyers -- Richards quickly became the leader on the Flyers' roster. He was named an alternate captain last season and was promoted to captain before the 2008-09 season. He led the Flyers in assists, takeaways and faceoff percentage.

Richards came to the Flyers from the OHL Kitchener Rangers off an emotional loss in the Memorial Cup. The 24th pick in the 2003 Entry Draft was widely regarded among teams as the kind of player who could drive a team to a Stanley Cup, based on his intensity, and his balanced offensive and defensive contributions. He led his team to the Eastern Conference Final last season and the playoffs again this year. He is one of the three best players on his team and combines with Jeff Carter as the team's two best forwards.

Solidly built with a bulldog nature, he was an engaging young man with a quick sense of humor, but his intense approach to hockey became more evident in his second season. He challenged media assumptions he deemed incorrect and became a vocal defender of teammates and the organization. It was evident he was on his way to being a leader.

Richards is one of the hardest members of the NHL to play against. He uses his 5-foot-11, 195-bound body to punish opponents throughout the game, fighting for every puck in every inch and corner of the rink. He is extremely effective in battles along the boards for the puck and is tremendous at stripping puck carriers that result in breakaways. Richards led the NHL with seven short-handed goals.

He had a career year with 30 goals and 50 assists and was plus-22. Richards tied Chris Drury for the NHL lead among forwards with 90 blocked shots and finished 33rd with 147 hits. He was third among NHL forwards with 83 takeaways.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=420456

Awesome news for Richie, not sure he will get with Datsyuk being in there.