Looking back on this Former Captains Career with the Orange and Black

In light of the recent naming of the New York Rangers new Captain. I thought this would be an interesting time to talk about an underrated captain in Flyers History. One that always comes to mind for me showed grit, leadership, and the ability to lead his team to a Stanley Cup run.

Mike Richards had become captain in the 2008-2009 season right after Jason Smith had moved on. He made his NHL debut in 2004-2005 season scoring his first goal in his first game. He tallied 34 points in 79 games his rookie year.

Was Mike Richards a terrible captain?— James Iacovone (@JimIkeHW) August 9, 2022

Richards emerged as a star with the Flyers in 2007–08 and topped the team in scoring with 75 points. Recognizing his ascent as a leader on the team, Richards was named one of the Flyers' alternate captains at the outset of the season and was signed to a lengthy 12-year contract extension worth $69 million on December 13, 2007. Shortly after signing the deal, Richards was selected to represent the Eastern Conference at the 2008 NHL All-Star Game in Atlanta. In the first NHL All-Star Game of his career, Richards registered an assist.


Following a loss to the Washington Capitals on January 17, 2010, Richards reportedly engaged in a verbal exchange with reporters outside the Flyers' locker room, telling them he was unhappy with how the team was being covered in the media. On February 1, 2010, Richards scored his 100th career NHL goal.

The Flyers barely scraped into the playoffs, winning in a shootout in their last game of the season to secure their place. However, they then embarked on a remarkable run to the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals, a run-in which Richards cemented his captaincy and scored some important goals leading to renewed comparisons to Bobby Clarke, which eventually ended in the Stanley Cup Finals when the Flyers lost 4–3 in overtime of Game 6 to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Mike Richards steamrolls Tomas Kopecky in the SCF #electric pic.twitter.com/SR67Rze64H— Murph (@2Murphy8) April 19, 2020

Richards was one of those "Quiet leaders". He did what he could on the ice and was not one of those guys who was the flashiest of players or even the best player. Fans enjoyed watching him play here. One of the best moments for me had to of been the goal scored against the Canadians in the playoffs. Incredible goal.

Mike Richards was the perfect embodiment of a Flyer. pic.twitter.com/oKKGHI1nzC— Coots (@YaBoyCoots) December 2, 2021

It eventually had ended In Philadelphia when Richards and Carter were dealt to different teams to make cap room for none other than Ilya Bryzgalov. Rumor has it that they were dealt because of the excessive partying, former GM Paul Holmgren denies that accusation.