The Ottawa Senators announced Tuesday that Binghamton head coach Luke Richardson will return to the B-Sens, signing a one-year contract that will run through the completion of the 2015-16 season.
Richardson, 46, has posted a 122-82-11-13 record and has led the B-Sens to two playoff appearances in three seasons behind the bench. He was named head coach of the AHL Eastern Conference All-Star team in 2012-13 after compiling the conference’s best record at the All-Star break.
“We’re very excited to have Luke back behind the bench next season,” said Binghamton Senators general manager Randy Lee. “As we witnessed with last week’s development camp, the growth and development of the young players in our organization is one of our highest priorities. Luke has shown a tremendous ability to push our players to be better and, even more importantly, to be fully prepared when they get the call to the National Hockey League.”
Prior to joining the B-Sens, Richardson spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the Ottawa Senators. He began his coaching career following his retirement as an active player during the 2008-09 campaign, joining the Ottawa coaching staff for the final three months of the season.
A 20-year National Hockey League veteran, Richardson played in 1,417 career games with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Tampa Bay Lightning and the Senators, recording 35 goals, 166 assists and 2,055 penalty minutes. He added eight assists and 130 penalty minutes in 69 career NHL playoff games.
