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Todd Richards was named the fourth
head coach in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
history on August 3, 2006.
Richards, 39, comes to the Penguins after spending
the past four seasons as an assistant coach
with the Milwaukee Admirals. During that time
the Admirals made four playoff appearances,
advancing to the Calder Cup Finals twice. Milwaukee
captured the league?s championship by sweeping
the Penguins in four games in 2004.
Todd was an extremely smart player, and has
proven to have one of the brightest young coaching
minds in the AHL,? Assistant General Manager
Chuck Fletcher said. ?His record of success,
both as a player and coach, will be a great
asset when developing our future in Wilkes-Barre.?
A proven winner at every level, Richards joined
the Admirals coaching staff after a successful
13-year professional career.
"Todd Richards has been a big reason for
the success that the Milwaukee Admirals have
had
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these past three seasons," said Claude Noel, Head Coach
of the Milwaukee Admirals. "He's a passionate,
confident young coach who will be successful in teaching
the Penguins prospects how to become good pro players.
Our organization is excited for him and he will be missed!"
A defenseman during his playing days, Richards was drafted
by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round (33rd
overall) of the 1985 NHL Entry Draft, and began his
career with the club?s AHL affiliate in Sherbrooke during
the 1989-90 season.
The Crystal, Minnesota native was traded to the Hartford
Whalers organization early the next season, spending
the majority of the campaign with the Springfield Indians,
with whom he captured a Calder Cup title. He also made
his NHL debut with the Whalers during the season, recording
four assists and two penalty minutes in two games.
Richards joined the International Hockey League?s Las
Vegas Thunder prior to the 1993-94 season, and was named
the league?s top defender as a member of the team during
the 1994-95 campaign. He spent the next six seasons
as a member of the Orlando Solar Bears, captaining the
squad for four seasons and winning and IHL championship
with the club in 2000-01, the league?s final year of
existence.
Richards concluded his playing career with Servette
Geneve of Switzerland in 2001-02, helping the club to
a Swiss B League title. He was also singled out for
his individual contributions, as he was named the league?s
top defenseman.
Prior to turning pro, Richards spent four seasons at
the University of Minnesota. He was named the Western
Collegiate Hockey Association rookie of the year in
1985-86, was a member of the WCHA Second All-Star Team
three consecutive seasons (1986-87, 1987-88, 1988-89)
and served as team captain during his senior season.
During his collegiate career, the Golden Gophers won
two WCHA championships (1987-88 and 1988-89) and were
NCAA runners-up once, falling to Harvard in the 1989
title game.
Richards and his wife, Maryann, are the parents of sons
Zachary (10) and Justin (8).
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