Richards ready for Take 2

Eight months and a season later, Justin Richards will get the opportunity to compete for a spot on the roster after he was denied that chance in January after contracting COVID at the worst possible time.

“I’d been training six months over the [offseason] for my first NHL training camp, and then getting COVID the day before camp started was pretty brutal,” said the 23-yearold center, who was signed as an undrafted player out of MinnesotaDuluth in April 2020. “It was pretty disappointing, pretty frustrating but I didn’t let it get me down.”

Richards recorded 11 points (4-7) in 20 games for Hartford over the 24-game AHL schedule in which the Wolf Pack played just Providence and Bridgeport due to COVID related restrictions.

“That was different, too,” the Orlando, Fla., native said. “But with it being my rookie season, it was a good eye-opener and it came around full-circle getting called up for my first NHL game [in the May 8 season finale in Boston].”

Richards played 10:11 while flanked by Morgan Barron and Filip Chytil in that 5-4 victory while picking up an assist on K’Andre Miller’s game-opening goal. It was, as he tells it, a wholly positive experience.

“I think I played pretty well that game so it gave me confidence in myself knowing that I can play at that level,” said the 5-foot-11, 190pounder. “Obviously to sustain that is a whole different thing but I think with time and experience that will come.”

Richards is a checking oriented center — winner of the NCHC’s best defensive forward in his senior year — who kills penalties, has grit and is strong away from the puck. The Rangers and head coach Gerard Gallant are seeking players with those attributes. It’s not about being fancy.

“Definitely. I think that’s the best route for me,” Richards said of his role as a checker. “That’s how I built a name for myself in college and that’s kind of the role I played in Hartford, too. So I think if I wanted to be an every day NHLer, I think that would be the route I would take.”

➤ Scrimmages are set for Sunday and Monday followed by an offday Tuesday and three days of practice. There will be a homeand-home set of rookie games against the Flyers next weekend, Saturday at the Blueshirts’ practice rink and Sunday at Philadelphia’s.