F Jake Richard - Muskegon Lumberjacks, USHL (2022, 170th, BUF)

[Frk It]

Very young player for this draft, committed to UCONN for next year? EP has him listed at 5'11, but this article suggests he has grown a bit.

UConn men’s hockey landed a commitment from Jake Richard, an ‘04 forward who will join the team as part of the Class of 2023.

A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Richards is a 6-foot-2, 175 pound power forward who currently plays for the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL. In 36 games as a rookie, he’s racked up 10 goals, 12 assists and 22 points — 16 of which have come since Jan. 1 — while drawing rave reviews from his coach.

“He’s going to be a high-end goal scorer in our league, if not next year then the year after. He’s going to be leading the league at some point,” Lumberjacks head coach Mike Hamilton told MuskegonSports.com.

“He’s got unbelievable skills and scoring ability,” Hamilton added about Richard. “Now it’s just a matter of him creating separation (from defenders) so he can make those plays, and building his strength so he won’t end up on his butt.

UConn men’s hockey lands ‘04 forward Jake Richard

Richard will arrive as part of the Huskies’ vaunted 2023 recruiting class.

www.theuconnblog.com

Jake Richard - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Jake Richard, 2004-08-15 Jacksonville, FL, USA USA. Most recently in the undefined with Univ. of Connecticut. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

Click to read more...

 

[Frk It]

Looked at his game log, he's got 26 pts in his last 19 games.

 

[NickH8]

It's always a good sign to see improvement over the season like that. Could be a good late round pick. Is he a winger or center?

 

[Frk It]

It's always a good sign to see improvement over the season like that. Could be a good late round pick. Is he a winger or center?

Per their Twitter account, he is playing RW on the 2nd or 3rd line.

 

[DatDude44]

He’s a winger with disgusting hands and a high end IQ for the game.

Physical strength and continuing to improve his skating are going to be massive for him over the next 3-4 years.

If he improves in those aspects he has as good a chance as any mid-late rd draft pick of becoming an skilled impact player in the league.

Has a very long road to go though.

 

[TedFlash08]

Late bloomer who was arguably in the bottom half of his 14U league, and quickly became the best player in his 15U and 16U league. Has been on an absolute tear for months. May be a long developmental road for him, but if you're looking for a dynamic, a high-ceiling, and a "diamond in the rough", you've found one.

 

[MMC]

Welcome to Buffalo

 

[DatDude44]

Luv this puck this late

 

[Frk It]

Really thought he would be a Detroit pick, nice pick Buffalo.