When Bruce Boudreau played for the Fort Wayne Komets in the early 1990s, fans used to serenade him with ``Bruuuuuuuuccceee'' when the center made a good play.
Komets fans will get to work on their pitch again this season as the team is signing forward Bruce Richardson as a player-assistant coach. Though only 5-foot-9 inches tall and 180 pounds, Richardson, 29, is known for playing like he's much bigger, annoying opponents with his chirping, hitting and general belligerence.
``He's unbelievable,'' said former Komet Jeff Worlton who played with Richardson a few years ago. “He's one of the nicest hockey guys I've ever met in my life, but he's tough as nails. He'll do anything you need for the team. He'll fight anybody. I've seen him fight guys my size. The only reason he didn't make it to the show was because of his size.''
Richardson, who is also known for helping younger players learn the game, has played most of his career with Hershey in the American Hockey League and Louisiana in the East Coast Hockey League. Last year he played in Germany. Two years ago he played with Danbury in the United Hockey League, scoring 25 goals and 87 points in 76 games, including four goals and three assists in four games against Fort Wayne. “He is a very dedicated, very aggressive, very hungry, team-oriented hockey player that the Hershey Bears couldn't recommend any higher to any team in hockey,'' Bears President and General Manager Doug Yingst said. “His commit to the team, his teammates and the community is second to none.''
One of Richardson's Hershey teammates during the 1999-2000 season was Komets defenseman Guy Dupuis.
``He does everything well,'' Dupuis said. ``He makes things happen out there. He's a good hitter who can fight when he needs to. He was really exciting and has been a fan favorite wherever he has played because of his size and his enthusiasm. It won't be any different here.''
Richardson's favorite movie is obviously “Rudy,'' his nicknames are “The Rat'' and “The Pest'' and he has a tattoo of Chinese characters on his right meaning “Determination.'' He has received more than 100 stitches during his hockey career. He's usually the team's captain.
The only knock against Richardson is that he's been injury prone, in part because he plays with disregard for his own body. He's super-aggressive and sacrifices his body for team. Among his more major injuries, Richardson tore a knee ligament in 2000, a broken left eye socket in 2002.
“They say I'm 5 feet 8 play like I'm 6-3,'' Richardson told the Cincinnati Post in 2002. “I'm a small guy and I go out there every night and just give everything I have, and that's important when you're not a big guy.''
Comments
This is a quality signing. I think he has more talent than Lance Galbraith and will do just as good a job of getting under the skin of the opposition.
The injury situation is a worry but I think the risk is worth it.
This looks like an interesting signing, if he's the chippy player that Worlton says he is then the lack of PIM's means he gets others to go to the box, that could turn out good. Seems to be able to put up some offensive numbers and with the reate that players are jumping ship he might be one of the best players in the league. The proneness to injury is also an isssue with me, but it's nothing the Komets haven;t dealt with before.
Go Signing Komets. Keep it up.
I wouldn't be suprised if Bruce is the Komets new captain.
Can't be the captain if he's also assistant coach.
Thumbs up.
What kind of rule is that?
Just like goalies can't be captains, either. Tradition I guess.
This singing was reported on Aug 7, 2006 on blakes site and on KOMET WARROIR site this will be reported that the komets signed him on Aug 21, 2006
this is a good signing komets
Komet Warrior site???
Nice signing...I remember him playing for Danbury...he was fast..good signing Komets...keep them coming
Great signing, but if under the new rules his whole $$$ (both ass. coach and player) will count for the cap, why even have a ass. coach? Couldn't he still have the same leadership in the lockeroom without the title?
Blake, is this the signing that you told us about last week, but wouldn't reveal his name or is there another one?
This is it.
Blake, will there be any other signings this week or next?
Hoss,
Nuemys full contract was against the cap last year. They did away with that rule a few years ago..
From what I understand, Bruce is trying to bring 2-3 guys with him. Right now EVERY contract counts against the cap.
Sounds like a good pick up. Thanks, Blake
Good signing!
What is the roster limit for opening night?
Count the assist. coach salary against the cap or not, I think it's worth picking this guy up. From the little research that I could do, I'd say Komet fans will take to Richardson nicely.
David Masse has a past with Richardson and Bingham. Have seen him play, the guy is money. Played the whole season in the AHL last year, not sure if we could get him in the Fort, but that would be quality.
18 just like always.
Boy, August is heating up...maybe he can have an influence on Laraque(sp) signing here..
That would be Sweet if he did Mark.
This is on site and now WE now about this! Good work Blakes on this and good job to the OHIC! This seems like good a player for the komets to get and we need some more. I did not even now that he played with Laroque that would be nice to sign next. I will have another signing in the next 2 weeks MAN!
This is from UHL VP of Media Relations Brian Werger: They can not be the team captain if they are designated as a player-assistant coach. That is actually a rule in the Official Rule Book (Rule 14 d).
I hope to see Richardson bring Doug Christanson. He is a physical player that wouldn't be a veteran. He also played a brief stint with Bingham last year. I also wouldn't mind see Mike Bayrack.
Finally the signing of a small forward that didnt make me cringe...LOL This is a great signing, I really liked how he played when he was with Danbury. I havent looked forward to a Komet hockey season like this for 5 years. Hopefully a forward or two that they have contracts out to will have some size and skill. It kinda looks like they are following the scheme of the K-wings from last year.
Now all they need to do is...
BRING BACK BOBBY STEWART ;-)
I am with you JR. They could be great, they could be awful, they could be in the middle somewhere, but they ARE going to be fun!
here we go again. hype the hell out of this guy so he will never be able to live up to it like lance! lets stick to the facts. small guy, likes to fight and hit but doesnt score. good agitator type but his vet spot is the same description for miller, so he better be able to bring some tweeners with him.