VOORHEES, N.J. — There are times in any season when a journeyman player gets called up from professional hockey’s minor league ranks and shows signs of promise.
Usually those opportunities fizzle out.
Perhaps the player lacks confidence, relies too much on his defensive game and doesn’t make enough impact offensively to hang around.
While Anthony Richard’s recent promotion to the Flyers has lasted only five games, all indications suggest he might get an honest chance this time around.
Richard has registered two goals/six points with a plus-5 since his callup from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. This could be the opening he’s been waiting for after short stints with Nashville (two games), Montreal (13) and Boston (nine).
“I think the first time you get called up to the NHL when you’re younger, you’re trying to do too much defensively,” the 27-year-old left wing said after Sunday’s practice at the Flyers Training Center.
“Usually that’s where you’re ice time gets cut down because the coach doesn’t really trust you. As you get older and get more experience, you get called up to play two-way. When you get your chances offensively, you always hope to bury some of them.”
There’s been little to complain about with Richard’s game so far.
“I think I have done a good job overall on the defensive side,” Richard said. “I got some lucky bounces, and sometimes you need that to get your chance to keep playing in the NHL. I’m happy with the way I’ve played.”
Richard has been in the game since he was selected by Nashville in the fourth round of the 2015 draft. The Flyer players know this is a guy who’s paid his dues. That’s why they’re pulling for him.
“Of course it’s nice,” the Quebec native said. “They know where I’m coming from. When you get called up and you do well, it’s always nice to feel that the guys are behind you. The team here is just super nice. It’s like nothing I’ve seen before. It’s super fun to be part of.
Every time I get some bounces my teammates looked surprised but are happy for me. It’s been fun to see so far.”
Richard insists there was never a moment of doubt where he thought professional hockey might not be in the cards.
“Deep down I always knew, if I could get a chance, be put in the right spot, I always felt I was good enough to play in this league,” he said. “I’ve always played well in training camp. It’s just a matter of getting the ice time so far. You get called up and you only play four or five minutes. It’s hard for a good skater like me to be sitting on the bench for a lot of minutes. You’re just trying to find your game and you’re not playing with confidence.
“There were moments when I was telling myself that my AHL career is pretty good and that’s what I was dreaming about my whole life. Lehigh Valley is a good place to be, I was happy to be there. Unreal rink, great city. So I was just happy to be there. When you’re playing carefree, good things usually happen. So far since I’ve signed here it’s been really good.”
It doesn’t hurt to have a cheering section on the bench in the Wells Fargo center either.
Richard got cut at the end of Flyers’ training camp but had a feeling he would be back, especially after a long talk with coach John Tortorella.
“I had a good talk with ‘Torts’ when I got cut,” Richard said. “He usually doesn’t talk to the guys who get cut. He picks two or three guys who deserve to have talks. I was one of them that got lucky. He just told me that the way I played, I deserved a spot on the team.
“Jett (Luchanko) was playing really good. They tried to give him a look to see if he could handle it. 18 years old. I knew my moment would come. That talk with Torts was big for me. I knew I deserved to be here and eventually I would get my chances.”
Noah Cates likes what he’s seen so far.
“What he’s been doing for us is huge for our team,” Cates said. “Just the aspect of the speed, skill and offensive side he brings is kind of been great for us. He has an identity that combines the speed with getting in your face.”
Richard’s speedy play has sort of mirrored the pace of the Flyers’ play in their recent stretch (4-0-1) of success.
“It’s just being on our toes,” Cates said. “It’s kind of been how we’ve played lately, the past six or seven games. . .the success we’ve had. Playing on your toes is kind of how he plays his game. It’s been big for us. When you see one guy doing it, it affects the whole team.”
>Short shots
The Flyers take on the Colorado Avalanche on Monday night at the Wells Fargo Center and a special ceremony honoring Erik Johnson’s 1,000 game (actually played Saturday vs. Buffalo) is planned. . .Defenseman Cam York is still listed as questionable but might be able to play. Goaltender Samuel Ersson remains injured and could be placed on IR as might defenseman Emil Andrae. Ivan Fedotov likely to start in goal vs. Colorado.
