Confirmed with Link: Rangers sign UDFA Justin Richards

aufheben

#Norris4Fox
Jan 31, 2013
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New Jersey
The New York Rangers signed free-agent forward Justin Richards to an entry-level contract beginning in 2020-21, the team announced Thursday.

The 22-year-old played three seasons for the University of Minnesota Duluth, winning two national championships and earning the honor of Best Defensive Forward in the conference in 2019-20.
In 120 collegiate games, Richards notched 26 goals and 40 assists.
 

bobbop

Henrik & Pop
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Now, Suburban Phoenix. Then, Long Island
From Last Word on Hockey
Justin Richards, C, Minnesota-Duluth, 5’11” 190 lbs, Junior

Richards was named an alternate captain prior to his junior season and put up 14 goals and 25 points in 34 games for the Bulldogs. He was part of the back-to-back National Championship teams in his first two seasons, graduating into a big role in his sophomore campaign when he scored 32 points in 42 games. Richards plays a 200-foot game. He is responsible in the defensive end, plays the penalty kill and matches up against the other team’s top lines. Over the last two years, he’s also shown that he can use his strong skating, good vision and high-end hockey IQ to create points. He gets to open areas without the puck and makes smart passes with the puck.

Son of former NHL coach Todd Richards
 

Fugazy

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SafeSpottedHyena-size_restricted.gif
 

Fitzy

Very Stable Genius
Jan 29, 2009
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I have to imagine 4C is what management sees as the potential.
 

cwede

Registered User
Sep 1, 2010
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local paper re Richards
College men's hockey: Bulldogs' Richards makes jump to NHL, signs with New York Rangers | Duluth News Tribune
"The reigning two-time NCHC Defensive Forward of the Year and member of UMD’s back-to-back national championship teams in 2018 and 2019, the Bulldogs assistant captain put up 14 goals and 11 assists during the coronavirus-shortened 2019-20 season, scoring three shorthanded goals and assisting on another."

he was a Junior, and is son of veteran coach Todd

found this:
UMD's Justin Richards earns second straight defensive forward award

excerpt:"Since joining the Bulldog program in 2017-18, Richards has skated in all 120 games and has 66 points (26 goals and 40 assists) and a +40 plus-minus rating..."
 

eco's bones

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Jul 21, 2005
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The thing about Duluth is a lot of their players don't put up big numbers but that team wins. Scott Sandelin is a hell of a coach. Maybe Richards never makes it but I wouldn't count a player coming off this team out. In last year's NCAA championship UMD just tore UMassAmherst with Makar on board apart. The team with arguably the best offense in all of college hockey were never even in the game.
 

Amazing Kreiderman

Registered User
Apr 11, 2011
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What makes you say that? I'm not familiar with either of them.

The type of player they are, how dominant they were at college level. It's very rare that UDFAs from college become even serviceable players in the NHL, especially when they spend all 4 years in college. Even Khodorenko's chances are slim, but I think he has the best odds out of the 3. Obviously, it's just anyone's guess.
 

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