Sep 17, 2008 - 7:44 PM
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Richards, who displayed impressive leadership qualities during last season, succeeds defenseman Jason Smith, who joined the Ottawa Senators as a free agent during the offseason. The 23-year-old won the Bobby Clarke Trophy as the Flyers' most valuable player in 2007-08 after leading the team with 47 assists and 75 points in 73 games.
"Mike carries a lot of the attributes that we believe a Philadelphia Flyer is all about," Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said. "He is a hard-nosed kid and he has the skill and drive that it takes to excel in the National Hockey League. At this time, we just think that he is the right guy to lead us on the path we want to take."
"It's obviously a privilege to be part of such a prestigious organization and now be captain of it," said Richards, who signed an astounding 12-year contract extension last December. "I am going to do my best. We have a lot of great team leaders right now on our team and we don't have to change anything. I think that everyone really helps out around the dressing room. There are so many leaders that you just kind of have to do your own thing and more worry about yourself and help out where things are needed."
Drawing comparisons to Clarke, one of the greatest players in club history, Richards also led Philadelphia with five shorthanded goals and six game-winners. The Ontario native, who made his first All-Star Game appearance, finished first on the team among forwards with an average ice time of 21 1/2 minutes and was second in power-play points (31) and plus-minus rating (plus-14).
"Mike is a player who has all the characteristics that we want on our team," Philadelphia coach John Stevens said. "We want a guy who represents the identity of our hockey team, and I think Mike is all of that."
Drafted 24th overall in 2003, Richards scored a career-high 28 goals last season. In 211 career games over three campaigns, he has collected 49 tallies and 92 assists.
The Flyers also named left wing Simon Gagne and defenseman Kimmo Timonen alternate captains.
Gagne, who was selected with the 22nd overall pick in the 1998 draft, missed all but 25 games last season due to post-concussion symptoms. The 28-year-old has registered 208 goals and 202 assists in 527 career contests and stands 16th on the franchise list with 410 points.
A former captain of the Nashville Predators, Timonen captured the Barry Ashbee Trophy as the Flyers' most outstanding defenseman in 2007-08, his first season with the club. The 33-year-old Finn, who also was an All-Star last campaign, led Philadelphia with an average ice time of 23 minutes, 34 seconds and topped all of the team's blue-liners with 44 points.
