Richards Role In Hurricane Sandy Recovery Done in Anonymity
Jeff Klein at the New York Times takes a look at the huge role Brad Richards has taken in the Hurricane Sandy recovery effort in New York. All of which has been done without any publicity coming from his end.
Here's Matthew Long, a retired New York firefighter, who lost his Breezy Point home in a fire discussing Richards' contributions...
“Brad told me, ‘I just want to come down there and work. He said, ‘I don’t want any Rangers paraphernalia, I’m not going to have any media follow me. If someone knows who I am and I bring a smile to their face, great. If not, I’d rather make them smile just helping people.’ ”
Besides helping rebuild homes, Richards has also organized a skating clinic that raised $14,000, a bar fundraiser which raised $15,000 and will be captaining the New York team during the The Operation Hat Trick charity game at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Saturday night.
Richards is not alone, as numerous other Rangers players have volunteered as well, including Marian Gaborik, whose TriBeCa home is still a month or more from being habitable because of storm damage.
...words can't express how impressed I've been with Richards in the aftermath of Sandy. The guy could go goalless for the remainder of his Rangers career and I'd still say the signing was worth it because of what I've witnessed the last three weeks alone.
Katie Strang at ESPN.com has more.
Continue reading for final Operation Hat Trick roster.
Klein also released the final Operation Hat Trick roster...
Team New York
Forwards: Brad Richards, Rangers; Bobby Ryan, Ducks; Corey Perry, Ducks; Daniel Alfredsson, Senators; James Neal, Penguins; Ville Leino, Sabres; Brian Boyle, Rangers; Taylor Pyatt, Rangers; Jeff Halpern, Rangers; Arron Asham, Rangers; Matt Martin, Islanders.
Defensemen: Dan Girardi, Rangers; Marc Staal, Rangers; Steve Eminger, Rangers; Mike Komisarek, Maple Leafs.
Goaltender: Henrik Lundqvist, Rangers.
Team New Jersey/Philadelphia
Forwards: Scott Hartnell, Flyers; Steven Stamkos, Lightning; David Clarkson, Devils; James van Riemsdyk, Maple Leafs; Simon Gagne, Flyers; Jody Shelley, Flyers; Wayne Simmonds, Flyers; Justin Williams, Kings; Daniel Carcillo, Blackhawks; Steve Downie, Avalanche.
Defensemen: Andy Greene, Devils; Kimmo Timonen, Flyers; Braydon Coburn, Flyers; P..K. Subban, Canadiens; John Carlson, Capitals.
Goaltender: Martin Brodeur, Devils.
...any chance we're going to see an Asham/Shelley dust-up?
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@TheNYRBlog Stopped to pee at a GSP rest stop ... every person here is in a Rangers Jersey
When Richards is in a long slump and you rip him, I'll say "but Kevin remember the charity work. " Hehe. In seriousness it's the sign of a great person. Proud he's one of our captains
@TheNYRBlog While the NHL is embarrassing itself into oblivion, I could not be more proud if the work Richards, etc. are doing to help.
@TheNYRBlog Great. Now I have 2 back track w 7 yr old daughter who was on board mom's conspiracy to attend OpHatTrick B/C of her fave Cally
The fact that he doesn't care about the recognition is the coolest part. I love that he prefaced his Operation Hat Trick Interview by basically say "don't try to ask me about my volunteer work" just shows how good his intentions are. Whenever you see athletes doing charity work, theres always a small part that wonders if they're just doing it for PR. Clearly that's not what Richards is about. Just one more example of how down to earth hockey players are, and what an amazing guy Brad is.
@TheNYRBlog He made $12 million last season. It's great that he is helping out - hell, it's wonderful - but calm down there chief.
@ScottyHockey hes been here 1 year, made less then others (jeter/wright) and has done more.. stop being so miserable.
@CRHcky33 You can't compare stupid, selfish, arrogant baseball players to hockey players.
@ScottyHockey agreed, thats why the hockey community should be making more of it, let it be known what hcky players do for the community
Hope to meet him and the others tomorrow night in AC. Gonna get there early and do what us "rowdy" fans do best : )
