The Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday assigned forward Mike Richards to the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League.
The 5-foot-11, 199-pound native of Kenora, Ont., appeared in 46 games this season with the Kings, registering 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) and 39 penalty minutes. He played in his 700th NHL game, Jan. 12 vs. Toronto, and recorded his 300th career assist, Dec. 12 at Montreal. He had played 224 consecutive games dating back to Dec. 22, 2011, the longest active streak on the Kings.
Selected in the first round (24th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers, Richards has appeared in 703 career NHL games with Philadelphia and Los Angeles, collecting 481 points (179 goals, 302 assists), a plus-21 rating and 577 penalty minutes. He was acquired from Philadelphia (along with the rights to Rob Bordson) for Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn and a second-round selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
Richards, who won two Stanley Cups with the Kings, made his professional debut with the AHL’s Philadelphia Phantoms, recording seven goals and eight assists in 14 games during the 2005 playoffs and helping the Phantoms to the Calder Cup championship.
