Tampa Bay Lightning: Former Teammates React To Richards Retirement

Former teammates have taken to social media to share their reactions to the retirement of former Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brad Richards.

In every sport, there are players that come and go every single day. Sometimes, a talented player goes by the wayside due to circumstances out of their control. Others just aren’t good enough to make the cut. Then, there are the players who leave everything out on the ice and have made a lasting impression on the league and the fans alike. One of those players is former Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brad Richards.

As most of you know by now, earlier today the former Tampa Bay Lightning center Brad Richards officially announced his retirement from the National Hockey League after 15 seasons on the ice. There is no denying that Brad Richards has earned a place in the hearts of both his teammates and fans throughout all the teams he’s played for during his career, but the one that will always shine the brightest is his time here with the Bolts.

Brad Richards was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 3^rd Round (64^th overall) in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. It wasn’t until the 2000-01 season when Richards would join the Lightning’s main roster, but soon after he would forever be known as one of the team’s “Franchise Three.”

Tampa Bay Lightning

Alongside his teammates and partners-in-crime Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis, Richards would help the Tampa Bay Lightning make history in the 2003-04 season when the Lightning would defeat the Calgary Flames in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals to earn the franchise’s first-ever Stanley Cup. Richards would be named the winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy, which is awarded to the MVP of the Playoffs.

Soon after the news of Brad Richards’ retirement made its way around the internet, some of the people who would come to know him best would take to their various social media outlets to offer their reactions to the news. Needless to say, he’s earned the respect of just about everyone he’s ever played with, and even some he’s played against.

One of the very first players to offer up their reaction was one of Richards’ aforementioned partners-in-crime, former Tampa Bay Lightning captain Martin St. Louis.

The next player to offer up their reaction to the news is Tampa Bay Lightning alternate captain Ryan Callahan.

As you can imagine, some of his former teammates from the 2015 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks.

Brad Richards has even made an impact on some of the players he’s played against.

One of the things that really seems to stick out is the respect Brad Richards has received from each and every team he has suited up with.

As we said before, Brad Richards has made his mark on the game of hockey. With two Stanley Cups under his belt, one with the Tampa Bay Lightning and the other with the Chicago Blackhawks, Richards’ name will be remembered for many years to come.

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Players like Brad Richards don’t come along every day. It’s definitely a sad day for the National Hockey League; however, we are excited to watch as Richards takes his first steps on the next journey of his life.