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Rocket leading scorer Richard embraces AHL all-star opportunity on home ice

"I wasn't sure if I was even good enough last year to be in the AHL in mid-season. I wasn't having the ice time and wasn't producing like I was supposed to. I'm really happy I kept pushing."

Anthony Richard stickhandles during a Laval Rocket practice at Place Bell on Tuesday January 31, 2023.
Anthony Richard stickhandles during a Laval Rocket practice at Place Bell on Tuesday January 31, 2023. Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette

One year ago, Anthony Richard wasn’t sure he was good enough to play in the American Hockey League.

Today, he’s the Laval Rocket’s leading scorer, had a recent seven-game stint with the Canadiens, scored his first NHL goal and was named to the AHL’s all-star classic. The two-day annual event, twice delayed because of COVID-19, begins Sunday night at Place Bell with the skills competition. The all-star challenge goes Monday night (7 p.m., TSN3, TSN5, RDS).

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“The last 12 months have been the craziest of my life,” Richard recently told the Montreal Gazette. “I wasn’t sure if I was even good enough last year to be in the AHL in mid-season. I wasn’t having the ice time and wasn’t producing like I was supposed to. I’m really happy I kept pushing.”

Richard, a 5-foot-10, 186-pound left-winger, was selected in the fourth round (100th overall) by Nashville in 2015, but spent most of his career in the minors, playing only two games for the Predators, held without a point.

In the midst of his sixth year in the organization, he was traded to Tampa Bay last February, immediately assigned to the Lightning’s AHL affiliate in Syracuse.

“My season was going OK in Milwaukee,” Richard remembered. “Getting traded was the best thing that happened. It gave me a fresh start.”

Richard, a 26-year-old Trois-Rivières native, moved on again last summer, signing a one-year, two-way free-agent contract with the Canadiens in July.

Known for his speed and offensive flair, Richard was recalled by Montreal before Christmas, making his Canadiens debut Dec. 19 at Arizona. It marked his first NHL game since the 2019-20 season. Two nights later, at Colorado, Richard scored his first NHL goal early in the opening period of a 2-1 overtime loss. He played seven games for the Canadiens before being reassigned to Laval on Jan. 10.

While Richard would have preferred more time with the Canadiens, he acquitted himself well, believing he’ll be more comfortable should a second opportunity arise. Along with joining the team on a road trip, he played two games at the Bell Centre, against the New York Rangers and St. Louis.

“It was special and that’s why I signed here,” he said. “Obviously Laval’s a nice spot to play in the AHL, but to wear (the Canadiens’) jersey was my first goal since July. Right from that day, that was my goal: to at least wear that jersey one time, whether it was on the road or at the Bell Centre.

“I think it was better to play my first game on the road … but honestly, I wasn’t nervous. My season was going so well, I wasn’t in doubt about my game. Sometimes you go up and, if you’re a first- or second-round pick, they’re giving you a look because you’re a higher pick, and maybe your game isn’t where it’s supposed to be. But I was called up because I was one of the best guys here; I earned my spot.

“I wasn’t nervous about my game. I’ve known for a long time I was kind of supposed to be there. When I got the call, I knew it was the right time for me. I was so confident in my game at that moment.”

Richard has reason to remain optimistic. Despite being held without a point in Saturday’s 7-3 victory at Toronto, he continues dwarfing his teammates in scoring, with 22 goals and 42 points through 38 games. No other Rocket player has more than 14 goals.

Individual statistics aside, Richard said his mandate is to lead the Rocket to a playoff berth in the North Division. For now, however, he’s simply looking forward to participating in his first all-star event at any level of his career.

“It makes it more special to play here,” he said. “My goal was to play well (at least) until December, when the selections were made. Just to be there means you’re one of the top players in the league.”

hzurkowsky@postmedia.com

twitter.com/HerbZurkowsky1

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