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| 1984 NHL DRAFT PICK |
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Stephane Richer
Selected in
second round
No. 29 overall by
Montreal Canadiens
Born June 7, 1966
 | Position:
Center
Height: 6-2 Weight: 190
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| BEFORE THE DRAFT |
Last Team:
Granby (QMJHL)
Birthplace:
Buckingham, Quebec (Canada)
Hometown: Ripon, Quebec |
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 |
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| PRE-DRAFT
STATISTICS | | Year |
Team | League |
GP | G |
A | TP |
PIM | | 1982-83 |
Laval | Que. AAA |
48 | 47 |
54 | 101 |
86 | | 1983-84 |
Granby | QMJHL |
67 | 39 |
37 | 76 |
58 |
|
PRE-DRAFT AWARDS AND HONORS
QMJHL Bergeron Trophy (Offensive Rookie of Year): 1983-84 (Granby)
Miscellaneous: Coached by future NHL head coach Pat Burns during his years
in midget hockey. ... Was Granby's first-round pick, No. 2 overall, in 1983 QMJHL midget
draft. |
| NHL CAREER |
Debut: January 15, 1985 (Montreal at
Quebec)
Numbers: 22, 44 (Montreal); 44 (New Jersey); 44
(Tampa Bay);
19 (St. Louis); 44 (Pittsburgh)
Stanley Cup: 1986, 1995.
Playing Status:
Retired for final time on August 18, 2002 |
| CAREER NHL STATISTICS | | Years |
Teams | GP |
G | A |
TP | PIM | |
1985-2002 | Montreal, New Jersey,
T.B., St. Louis, Pitt. | 1,054 |
421 | 398 |
819 | 614 |
|
| CAREER NHL PLAYOFF STATISTICS |
| Years | Teams |
GP | G |
A | TP |
PIM | | 1986-2002 |
Montreal, N.J., STL | 134 |
53 | 45 |
98 | 61 |
|
NHL
AWARDS AND HONORS
All-Star Game: 1990 (Montreal)
Stanley Cup Finals (Lost):
1989 (Montreal)
Montreal Molson Cup (Three-Stars Leader): 1987-88, 1989-90
New Jersey MVP (Media Vote): 1995
New Jersey SportsChannel MVP (Fan Vote): 1995
New Jersey Three-Stars Leader: 1991-92, 1995
New Jersey Fan
Club Player of Year: 1995
Montreal Records: Most points in one period (5 in first period vs.
Vancouver on Feb. 14, 1990)
50-Goal Seasons: 1987-88 (Montreal) (50), 1989-90 (Montreal) (51)
NHL Game-Winning Goals Leader: 1987-88 (Montreal) (11 goals)
Montreal Points Leader: 1989-90 (91)
Montreal Goals Leader:
1987-88 (50), 1989-90 (51), 1990-91 (31)
Montreal Playoffs Points
Leader: 1988 (12), 1990 (10, tie)
Montreal Playoffs Goals Leader:
1988 (7), 1990 (7), 1991 (9, tie)
New Jersey Points Leader: 1995
(39)
New Jersey Goals Leader: 1992-93 (38), 1995 (23)
New
Jersey Playoffs Points Leader: 1993 (4, tie), 1995 (21)
New Jersey
Playoffs Goals Leader: 1993 (2, tie), 1994 (7)
New Jersey Playoffs
Assists Leader: 1995 (15)
Miscellaneous: Played on line with Ryan Walter and Mark Hunter in his
first NHL game for Montreal. ... Played on line with Claude Lemieux and
Brian Skrudland for Montreal in 1985-86. ... Missed part of 1985-86 season with sprained
ankle, an injury suffered when he was checked by Alain Cote during
Montreal's Nov. 18, 1985, game vs. Boston. He did not return to action until
Montreal's Dec. 14, 1985, game vs. Chicago. ... Began playing right wing for
Montreal in addition to his natural position of center in 1986-87
season. ... Began playing right wing on a full-time basis for Montreal in
1987-88. He remained a right wing for the rest of his NHL career. ... Missed
part of 1987-88 season with knee injury, suffered during Montreal's Oct. 30,
1987, game at Detroit. He did not return to action until Montreal's Nov. 7,
1987, game vs. Philadelphia. He scored a goal in that game ... Missed part
of 1987-88 season with jammed right thumb, an injury originally suffered in
fight with Kevin Dineen during third period of Montreal's March 12, 1988,
game vs. Hartford. He played three games with the injury, but re-aggravated
it during Montreal's March 19, 1988, game vs. Chicago and did not return to
action until Montreal's April 2, 1988, game vs. Buffalo. He scored two goals
in that game and then had a hat trick in Montreal's April 3, 1988, season
finale at Buffalo to finish the season with 50 goals. He scored his 50th
goal of the season at 4:04 of the third period against Buffalo goaltender
Tom Barrasso. ... Missed remainder of 1988 playoffs with broken right thumb,
an injury suffered when he was slashed by Michael Thelven in the first
period of Game 2 of Montreal's second-round series vs. Boston on April 20,
1988. ... Missed part of Montreal's 1988 training camp with sprained right
thumb, suffered in September 1988. ... Missed part of 1988-89
season with the flu, an illness contracted in March 1989. ... Missed part of
Montreal's 1989 training camp with bruised right shoulder, suffered in Montreal's Sept. 22, 1989, preseason game vs. Quebec. ...
Had two goals and five assists for seven points in Montreal's 10-1 win over
Vancouver on Feb. 14, 1990. ... Missed part of 1989-90 season with bruised
left foot, an injury suffered during Montreal's Feb. 16, 1990, game at
Buffalo. He did not return to action until Montreal's Feb. 22, 1990, game at
Quebec. ... Missed remainder of 1989-90 regular season with hip pointer, an
injury suffered during Montreal's March 24, 1990, game at Hartford. He did
not return to action until Game 1 of Montreal's first-round playoff series
at Buffalo on April 5, 1990. ... Missed remainder of 1990 playoffs with
sprained left ankle, an injury suffered during Game 3 of Montreal's
second-round series vs. Boston on April 23, 1990. ... Finished second in NHL
with plus-35 rating in 1989-90. ... Became only the second Montreal player
to score 50 goals in more than one season (joining Guy Lafleur) when he
achieved feat in 1989-90. ... Missed part of 1990-91
season with knee injury, suffered in Montreal's Nov. 24, 1990, game vs.
Los Angeles. He did not return to action until Montreal's Dec. 1, 1990, game
vs. Calgary. ... Played on line with Denis Savard and Shayne
Corson for Montreal in 1990-91. ... Missed part of 1990-91 season with the
flu, an illness contracted in February 1991. ... Led Montreal with nine
power-play goals in 1990-91. ... Left Montreal in 1991 with negative
reputation, having reportedly complained about coaches and teammates while
blaming others for his own mistakes. He would later attribute such behavior
to his own immaturity. ... Became first player on New Jersey roster who had ever
recorded a 50-goal season in NHL when he joined team in September 1991. ...
Scored two goals and had one assist in his first game with New Jersey on
Oct. 5, 1991, vs. St. Louis. ... Played on line with Claude Vilgrain and
Kevin Todd for New Jersey in 1991-92. ... Missed part of 1991-92 season with
groin injury, suffered in New Jersey's Oct. 18, 1991, game at Washington
and re-aggravated during New Jersey's Oct. 22, 1991, game vs. Los Angeles.
He did not return to action until New Jersey's Oct. 29, 1991, game at
Vancouver. ... Missed part of 1991-92 season with sore left knee, an injury
suffered during New Jersey's March 24, 1992, game vs. San Jose. He did not
return to action until New Jersey's April 12, 1992, game vs. Washington. ...
Missed part of 1992-93 season with sore back, an injury suffered during New
Jersey's Dec. 5, 1992, game vs. Boston. He did not return to action until
New Jersey's Dec. 11, 1992, game vs. Pittsburgh. ... Missed part of 1992-93
season with sore left knee, an injury suffered during New Jersey's Jan. 16,
1993, game vs. N.Y. Islanders. He did not return to action until New
Jersey's Jan. 26, 1993, game at N.Y. Islanders. ... Led New Jersey with
seven game-winning goals in 1992-93. ... Played left wing, right wing and
center for New Jersey in 1992-93. ... Played left wing and right wing for
New Jersey in 1993-94. ... Played left wing on line with Corey Millen and
John MacLean for New Jersey in 1993-94. ... Played right wing on line with
Tom Chorske and Bobby Carpenter for New Jersey in 1993-94. ... Missed part
of 1993-94 season with back injury, suffered during New Jersey's Feb. 17,
1994, game at Toronto. He did not return to action until New Jersey's Feb.
23, 2004, game at Detroit. ... Scored his 300th career NHL goal for New
Jersey on March 29, 1994, vs. Montreal. ... Named New Jersey Fan Club Player
of Month for February 1995. .... Missed part of 1995 season with pulled
groin, an injury suffered during New Jersey's March 14, 1995, game vs.
Ottawa. He did not return to action until New Jersey's March 19, 1995, game
vs. Boston. ... Missed part of 1995 season with re-aggravation of groin
injury, suffered during New Jersey's March 22, 1995, game at N.Y. Rangers.
... Named New Jersey Fan Club Player of Month for March 1995. ... Led New
Jersey with five game-winning goals in 1995. ... Missed part of 1995
playoffs with arm injury, suffered during Game 3 of New Jersey's Eastern
Conference finals series vs. Philadelphia on June 7, 1995. ... Missed part
of 1995-96 season with bruised right wrist, an injury suffered during New
Jersey's Dec. 6, 1995, game at Montreal. He did not return to action until
New Jersey's Dec. 23, 1995, game at Florida. ... Missed part of 1995-96
season with the flu, an illness contracted in February 1996. ... Tied New
Jersey single-season record (since broken) with four short-handed goals in
1995-96. ... Played on line with Marc Bureau and
Shayne Corson for Montreal in 1996-97. ... Missed part of 1996-97 season
with lower back spasms, an injury suffered during Montreal's Nov. 25, 1996,
game vs. Tampa Bay. He did not return to action until Montreal's Dec. 11,
1996, game vs. Buffalo. ... Missed part of 1996-97 season with bruised right
foot, an injury suffered during Montreal's Jan. 20, 1997, game vs. Detroit.
He did not return to action until Montreal's Feb. 1, 1997, game vs. New
Jersey. ... Missed part of 1996-97 season with hairline fracture in right
foot, an injury suffered during Montreal's Feb. 17, 1997, game at N.Y.
Islanders. He did not return to action until Montreal's March 5, 1997, game
vs. Colorado. ... Missed part of 1996-97 season with back spasms, an injury
suffered during Montreal's April 2, 1997, game at Hartford. He did not
return to action until Montreal's April 12, 1997, regular-season finale vs.
Philadelphia. ... Missed part of 1997-98 season with deep cut in right calf,
an injury suffered when he was accidentally cut by Paul Coffey's skate while
attempting to check John LeClair during Montreal's Oct. 11, 1997, game vs.
Philadelphia. The injury required plastic surgery, and Richer did not return
to action until Montreal's Oct. 27, 1997, game vs. Chicago. ... Benched by
Montreal coach Alain Vigneault for Canadiens' Nov. 5, 1997, game vs.
Phoenix. It was the first time in his NHL career that Richer was held out of
the lineup. ... Missed part
of 1997-98 season with sprained left ankle, an injury suffered during Montreal's
Nov. 7, 1997, game at San Jose. ... Missed part of 1997-98 season with
re-aggravation of sprained left ankle, an injury suffered during Montreal's Nov.
12, 1997, game at Anaheim. He did not return to action until Montreal's Nov.
30, 1997, game
vs. Pittsburgh. ... Missed part of 1997-98 season with second re-aggravation
of sprained left ankle, an injury suffered during Montreal's Dec. 3, 1997, game
vs. Los Angeles.
He did not return to action until Montreal's Jan. 12, 1998, game at Tampa
Bay. He had two assists in that game. ... Missed part of 1997-98 season with
re-aggravation of left ankle sprain, an injury suffered during Tampa Bay's
March 28, 1998, game at Montreal. He did not return to action until Tampa
Bay's April 13, 1998, game vs. Ottawa. ... Missed remainder of 1997-98
season with re-aggravation of left ankle sprain, an injury suffered during
Tampa Bay's April 13, 1998, game vs. Ottawa. ... Missed part of 1998-99
season with left ankle injury, suffered during Tampa Bay's Oct. 16, 1998,
game vs. Philadelphia. The injury required arthroscopic surgery, and Richer did not
return to action until Tampa Bay's Nov. 19, 1998, game vs. Pittsburgh. ... Missed part of 1998-99
season with re-aggravation of left ankle injury, suffered during Tampa Bay's
Dec. 18, 1998, game vs. Edmonton. He did not return to action until Tampa Bay's Dec. 26, 1998, game vs. Florida. ... Missed part of 1998-99 season with shoulder injury, suffered
during Tampa Bay's Feb. 20, 1999, game vs. Carolina. ... Missed part of
1999-00 season with strained muscle in rib cage, an injury suffered during
Tampa Bay's Nov. 13, 1999, game at Carolina. He did not return to action until Tampa
Bay's Dec. 23, 1999, game at Pittsburgh. ... Suspended indefinitely without
pay by Tampa Bay after refusing to remain with the team's IHL affiliate
in Detroit on Dec. 31, 1999. The situation was finally resolved two weeks
later when Tampa Bay traded Richer to St. Louis in exchange for Chris
McAlpine and Rich Parent on Jan. 13, 2000. ... Scored his 400th career NHL
goal for St. Louis on Jan. 26, 2000, at Ottawa. ... Missed part of 1999-00 season with strained muscle
in rib cage, an injury suffered during St. Louis' practice on Feb. 11, 2000.
He did not return to action until St. Louis' Feb. 18, 2000, game at
Nashville. ... Signed one-year, $825,000 contract with Washington as Group
III unrestricted free agent on Aug. 25, 2000, but never played for parent
team because he opted to retire for the first time on Sept. 10, 2000. In
reality, he chose to quit the team after just one practice and later
announced that he was retiring because he no longer had a desire to keep
playing. He later acknowledged that the real reason for quitting was that he
was suffering from severe clinical depression. ... Came out of retirement to join Pittsburgh at its 2001 training
camp and later signed one-year, $700,000 contract with Penguins as a Group III unrestricted free agent on
Oct. 2, 2001. ... Missed part of 2001-02 season with left foot injury,
suffered during Pittsburgh's Nov. 13, 2001, game at New Jersey. He did not
return to action until Pittsburgh's Nov. 21, 2001, game vs. Vancouver. ...
Missed part of 2001-02 season with the flu, an illness contracted in
December 2001. ... Missed part of 2001-02 season with strained muscle, an
injury suffered during Pittsburgh's Jan. 21, 2002, game vs. Philadelphia. He
did not return until Pittsburgh's Feb. 10, 2002, game at N.Y.
Rangers. ... Missed remainder of 2001-02 regular season with bruised left
foot, an injury suffered in New Jersey's April 5, 2002, game at Atlanta.
He did not return to action until Game 4 of New Jersey's first-round playoff
series vs. Carolina on April 23, 2002.
Richer's Big Suspension: The NHL suspended Richer
for 10 games during the 1988-89 season for spearing Jeff Norton during
Montreal's Nov. 16, 1988, game vs. N.Y. Islanders. Although no penalty was
called on the play, Norton was removed from the ice on a stretcher and taken
to a local hospital, where he was diagnosed with bruised ribs. Richer said
the spearing incident was unintentional and that he was only trying to hit
Norton's hands at the time. Given the extent of Norton's injury, the NHL
held Richer out of Montreal's Nov. 17, 1988, game at Boston, pending a
review of the incident, and then announced the suspension on Nov. 18, 1988.
NHL vice president Brian O'Neill ruled that Richer was attempting to injure
Norton on the play because the "blade of his stick was turned inward."
Richer and the Canadiens expressed shock at the length of the suspension,
figuring he only deserved a maximum of five games. Part of the reason the
suspension was made harsher was because the league was trying to crack down
on stick work during the 1988-89 season. Richer did not return to action until Montreal's Dec. 7,
1988, game at Minnesota.
Battling Depression: Richer's abrupt
retirement from hockey in September 2000 was followed by his public
announcement that he suffered from lifelong clinical depression that
had led him to contemplate suicide at least twice near the end of his hockey career. Several
months after his return to the NHL in 2001, Richer told a St. Petersburg
Times reporter that he had considered killing himself by driving his
Porsche at excessive speed into a barrier. He also noted that a 10-year
relationship had ended at around this time. He finally sought help in the
spring of 2001 and the treatment enabled him to make a brief comeback in
2001-02. On top of his long battle with depression, Richer had to deal with
persistent rumors that he might be a closeted gay athlete. Although Richer
never spoke out about these rumors, it is likely that they
did not help his difficult emotional state. |
| NON-NHL CAREER |
Post-Draft Teams:
Granby,
Chicoutimi (QMJHL); Sherbrooke (AHL); Detroit (IHL)
World Junior Championships: 1985 (gold medal)
NON-NHL
AWARDS AND HONORS
AHL Calder Cup: 1985 (Sherbrooke)
QMJHL All-Star Second Team: 1984-85 (Chicoutimi)
1986-87: Played on AHL regular-season champion (Sherbrooke).
Miscellaneous: Traded by Granby (QMJHL)
with Greg Choules to Chicoutimi for Stephane Roy, Marc Bureau, Lee Duhemee,
Sylvain Demers and Rene Lecuyer in January 1985. ... Became focus of a
controversy between Montreal Canadiens and owners of Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
after Montreal recalled him in January 1985. Chicoutimi, which had just
traded for Richer, did not want to lose him to the NHL. Chicoutimi ownership
threatened to stop selling Molson beer products in protest of the move
(Molson owned the Canadiens at the time). The situation was quickly resolved
when Montreal returned Richer to junior after just one game. Chicoutimi's
owners did not realize that under new rules of recalls from junior, Montreal
could not keep Richer unless three of its players were out with injuries.
Richer had been recalled due to injuries to Bobby Smith, Ron Flockhart and
Mike McPhee. ... Joined Sherbrooke (AHL) for remainder of 1985 AHL playoffs
after his Chicoutimi team was eliminated from 1985 QMJHL playoffs. He scored
nine points in nine games to help Sherbrooke win Calder Cup. ... Was on
Montreal team that joined Minnesota to compete in the 1990 NHL Friendship
Tour in Soviet Union. ... Was out of hockey for entire 2000-01 season. ...
Owned golf course in Montpellier, Quebec, called Club de Golf Montpellier during his playing days,
and continued to operate it after his retirement.. ... Played for Montreal
alumni team in Heritage Classic outdoor game at Edmonton on Nov. 23, 2003.
Personal:
Full name is Stephane J.J. Richer. |
| HOW HE GOT AWAY |
| TRADE (2):
Montreal traded Richer and Tom Chorske to New Jersey for Kirk Muller and
Roland Melanson on September 20, 1991. Five years later, Montreal got Richer
back from New Jersey for Lyle Odelein on August 22, 1996. Just over one year
later, Montreal lost him again when it traded Richer, Darcy Tucker and David
Wilkie to Tampa Bay for Patrick Poulin, Mick Vukota and Igor Ulanov on
January 15, 1998. |
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|
SNAPSHOT '84 | | Total Selected: |
250 | | Forwards: |
142 | | Defense: |
88 | | Goaltenders: |
20 | | Major Junior: |
110 | | Tier II/Jr. B: |
16/9 | | College Players: |
23 | | High School: |
47 | | Midget: |
4 | | U.S. Junior B: |
1 |
| Canadian: |
145 |
| Euro-Canadian: |
2 | | USA Citizens: |
62 | | U.S.-Born: |
63 |
| European: |
41 |
| Reached NHL: |
102 |
| Stanley Cup: |
20 | | Hall of Fame: |
1 |
| All-Star Game: |
18 |
| Year-end All-Star: |
7 |
| Olympians: |
31 |
|
|
