The Philadelphia Flyers rewarded Mike Richards on Wednesday, naming the young forward team captain.
Richards ranked third on the club with 28 goals to go with a team-leading 75 points and a plus-14 rating over 73 regular-season contests in 2007-08. He followed his best NHL campaign with seven goals and 14 points in 17 playoff games, including a penalty shot tally and a short-handed goal.
In three pro seasons, all with the Flyers, Richards has compiled 49 goals, 141 points and 193 penalty minutes in 211 games.
The 23-year-old native of Kenora, Ontario was given a mammoth 12-year contract extension during last season, a sign that the forward, an alternate captain at that time, might be groomed for a future leadership role with the club.
He became the 17th captain in franchise history and 16th man named to the post, taking over for now-departed free-agent defenseman Jason Smith, who wore the letter last year. Only franchise icon Bobby Clarke served two terms (1972-79; 1982-84).
Forward Simon Gagne and defenseman Kimmo Timonen were named alternate captains.
Gagne, heading into his ninth NHL season, missed all but 25 games last year due to post-concussion syndrome. Timonen recorded eight goals and 44 points in 80 regular-season games in his first season with the Flyers.
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