Florida General Manager Bill Zito confirmed the team's veteran equipment manager Teddy Richards remains suspended following an arrest over the summer.
Earlier this summer, Florida Panthers Head Equipment Manager Teddy Richards was arrested after a domestic incident at his home.
Charges against Richards were dropped by prosecutors less than two weeks later.
At the time of his arrest, the Panthers released a statement saying the team was aware of the incident and that Richards “will be suspended from all team activities and facilities pending investigation.”
After the charges were dropped, THN Florida reached out to the Panthers to see if there had been or would be any update on Richards’ status, but did not hear back.
On Wednesday the Panthers held their annual media day at the War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, which is connected to the team’s practice facility, the Baptist Health IcePlex.
The first person to speak was Florida General Manager Bill Zito, and he was asked if there was any update regarding Richards and his place with the team.
“Currently, he’s still suspended,” Zito said. “We really don’t have any comment on that. At some point we will, at the appropriate time.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, Richards was still listed as the Panthers’ head equipment manager on the team’s official website.
He has been with the franchise since the 2016-17 season.
In addition to the two Stanley Cups Richards won with the Panthers, he was on the equipment staff of the Pittsburgh Penguins when they hoisted the Cup in 2016.
Richards has also served as an equipment manager for USA Hockey, most recently at the 4 Nations Face-Off last February, the 2026 Winter Olympics this February and the IIHF World Championships in May.
LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA
Photo caption: Dec 29, 2023; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers Head Equipment Manager Teddy Richards (center) looks on as Carter Verhaeghe (23) celebrates his goal against the New York Rangers with teammates on the bench during the third period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images)
