A former fitness-first defenseman, Richardson still trains at an NHL tempo every day. Then he tempers things with a bit of wine, so he's off to Napa Valley while the Blackhawks are off for 10 days after their game at Calgary on Saturday.
A former fitness-first defenseman, Richardson still trains at an NHL tempo every day. Then he tempers things with a bit of wine, so he's off to Napa Valley while the Blackhawks are off for 10 days after their game at Calgary on Saturday.
Have the injury-depleted Chicago Blackhawks and their woeful season driven coach Luke Richardson to drink?
Maybe not. But Richardson said he plans on enjoying plenty of wine — and exercise — in California during the team's bye week and the NHL All-Star break. The Blackhawks are off from practices through Feb. 4 and don't play again until hosting Minnesota on Feb. 7.
Richardson, who played 21 seasons as a rugged NHL defensemen, still trains at an NHL tempo every day. We're talking hockey-bag-wet gym sessions with hard bike rides and other activities.
Injured NHL leading rookie scorer Connor Bedard said he was impressed with how drenched the 54-year-old Richardson was in the team's luxury hotel gym in Ft. Lauderdale before a game against the Florida Panthers on Nov. 12.
Then later in his day, Richardson says he likes to temper things with a bit of wine.
So it only makes sense Richardson is headed to Napa Valley while the Blackhawks are off 10 days. And why not? The Wirtz Family, owners of the team, also own Breakthru Beverage, one of the largest wine and liquor distributors in North America.
"Exercise and wine," Richardson said when asked about his break plans by reporters before Saturday's game in Calgary. "I'm not kidding, I'm going to Napa Valley and I'm going to exercise." (See video)
Richardson was hoping for a win against the Flames on Jan. 27 in the Blackhawks' final game before their break. But Chicago was shut out for the second straight contest and extended its road losing streak to a team-record 20 games.
Still, Richardson said his banged up, but hard-working club can enjoy some needed time off, too.
Minus Bedard, who has been out for four weeks with a broken jaw, plus forwards Taylor Hall, Tyler Johnson, Andreas Athanasiou and Anthony Beauvillier, the Blackhawks have struggled to score. Chicago has just 10 regulation/overtime goals in its last 10 games and has been shut out four times in the span while going 2-8-0.
"It's a lot on the guys, and certain guys especially," Richardson said. "It would be great to have that mental boost with a win today, but it's going to be a good boost physically to have that break for those guys to kind of rejuvenate."
Bedard is still expected to miss six to eight weeks total with his injury, suffered on Devils defenseman Brendan Smith's open ice hit in New Jersey on Jan. 5. The rookie has been skating in Chicago and may be joined by some of the mending veterans.
Petr Mrazek started again in goal versus the Flames and came through with another strong outing, allowing just Elias Lindholm's power-play goal on 31 shots in the 1-0 loss. Mrazek's record fell to 12-19-1, but his goals-against average slid to 2.92 and his save percentage inched up to .910.