On behalf of all of us here at hawksinsider.com, we would like to wish former Chicago Blackhawks center Brad Richards a happy 42nd birthday! Richards was a 3rd round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1998. He would go on to become a two-time Stanley Cup winner and the 2004 Conn Smythe winner. And although he was only in Chicago for one season, he played a pivotal role and had one of the most iconic moments in Blackhawk history.
The one season that Richards was a member of the Blackhawks was 2014-2015. The last time the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup. In that season, Richards racked up 37 points with 12 goals and 25 assists. Richards also finished in the top 50 in voting for the Lady Byng memorial trophy the season that he was with the Blackhawks. The Lady Byng memorial trophy is awarded every year to the player who "exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability".
Brad Richards was also involved in the Blackhawks second goal in the series clinching win against Tampa Bay. On this play Brandon Saad forced a turnover and brought the puck into the offensive zone. Richards would trail behind and receive a beautiful drop pass from Saad. Richards would then pass across the ice to Patrick Kane to give the Blackhawks a 2-0 lead, a lead that would hold until the end of the game, giving the Blackhawks their 3rd cup in 6 years.
