Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson may have posted only 35 goals and 201 points in 1,417 NHL games, but he's regarded as hockey royalty in his hometown of Ottawa, Ontario. Heck, he's even admitted to skating all the way down a frozen Rideau Canal, probably about as far as the the locks near Carleton University. Can't get more sport-crazed in Ottawa than that. "The last time I did it, it was very cold," Richardson said. "I thought I was doing the smart thing in going with the wind, until I realized I had to skate seven kilometers back into the wind. And it was stiff cold, so it was a reminder, to be smart, just like our defensemen." He shared that story when asked if he had ever player hockey outdoors just after the Blackhawks had announced they'd host the upcoming NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field. See video. Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson talks about his outdoor hockey experience after learning Chicago will host 2025 Winter Classic at Wrigley Field. Richardson, known best for his rugged, stay-at-home style as an NHL defenseman over 21 seasons, was inducted into the Ottawa Sport Hall of Fame last week. The Blackhawks fitness-first coach also was remembered for a career than included 2,055 penalty minutes and 135 fights, according to HockeyFights.com See the video tribute to the 55-year-old Richardson in the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvxdhP_br40 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvxdhP_br40] LONG NHL PLAYING, NOW COACHING CAREER Richardson was the Toronto Maple Leafs' first-round draft pick in 1987, taken seventh overall. He entered the league as an 18-year-old rookie the following season and played four season with the Leafs. An 18-year-old Luke Richardson (center) is welcomed to the Toronto Maple Leafs by captain Wendel Clark (left) and former team owner Harold Ballard (right). [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA2OTMxMTEzMzQ2NjA2MTMx/screenshot-2024-06-04-at-81905pm.png] An 18-year-old Luke Richardson (center) is welcomed to the Toronto Maple Leafs by captain Wendel Clark (left) and former team owner Harold Ballard (right). Richardson went on to skate for the Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Toronto once more and then finished his playing career with the Ottawa Senators. His final two games were in October 2008. Richardson became an assistant coach with the Senators for three seasons, starting in 2009 then was head coach of their AHL affiliate in Binghamton, New York for four seasons. He moved up to become an NHL assistant with the New York Islanders for the 2017-18 season, then was an assistant with the Montréal Canadiens for four years. Richardson was named head coach of the Blackhawks on June 27, 2022. Richardson is remembered among locals in Canada's capital for being a standout with the Ottawa West Golden Knights before graduating to major junior hockey with the OHL Peterborough Petes
