Justin Todd Richards (born March 17, 1998) is an American professional ice hockey forward for Düsseldorfer EG of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).
Playing career Richards played college ice hockey at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. On April 2, 2020, Richards signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He spent the majority of the 2020–21 season with Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL), the Rangers' AHL affiliate. Richards made his NHL debut for the Rangers on May 8, 2021, against the Boston Bruins. Richards recorded his first NHL point in that game assisting on a goal by K'Andre Miller.
As a free agent from the Rangers following the season, Richards continued his professional career in the AHL, signing a one-year deal with the Cleveland Monsters, the primary affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets, on 29 August 2022. In the season, Richards emerged as an offensive leader with the Monsters, collecting 17 points through his first 23 games. He was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 19, 2022. Richards made his Blue Jackets debut on April 1, 2023 against the Florida Panthers.
At the conclusion of his contract with the Blue Jackets, Richards was signed as a free agent to a one-year, two-way contract with the Buffalo Sabres on July 1, 2023.
Following his fourth professional season in North America, Richards as a free agent from the Sabres opted to pursue a career abroad in signing a one-year contract with German club, Düsseldorfer EG of the DEL, on August 6, 2024.
Personal life Richards is the son of former ice hockey player, Todd Richards, and is the nephew of Travis Richards.
Career statistics Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2015–16 Ohio Blue Jackets T1EHL 32 11 28 39 18 4 4 6 10 2 2016–17 Lincoln Stars USHL 59 10 20 30 63 — — — — — 2017–18 U. of Minnesota-Duluth NCHC 44 0 9 9 6 — — — — — 2018–19 U. of Minnesota-Duluth NCHC 42 12 20 32 18 — — — — — 2019–20 U. of Minnesota-Duluth NCHC 34 14 11 25 14 — — — — — 2020–21 Hartford Wolf Pack AHL 20 4 7 11 10 — — — — — 2020–21 New York Rangers NHL 1 0 1 1 0 — — — — — 2021–22 Hartford Wolf Pack AHL 67 6 8 14 23 — — — — — 2022–23 Cleveland Monsters AHL 61 10 29 39 54 — — — — — 2022–23 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 2 0 1 1 0 — — — — — 2023–24 Rochester Americans AHL 58 7 9 16 28 5 0 0 0 0 2024–25 Düsseldorfer EG DEL 44 5 9 14 22 — — — — — NHL totals 3 0 2 2 0 — — — — —
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