Bruins Latest Call-Up Bucking Family Ties

BRIGHTON, Mass. – The last 24 hours were a whirlwind for Anthony Richard. The 27-year-old forward took the ice for a noon practice with the Providence Bruins on Thursday, shaking off the cobwebs after the AHL All-Star break, when after just five minutes he got the big news: He was heading back to the NHL.

With Matt Poitras’ shoulder surgery sidelining him for the season and Brad Marchand questionable ahead of Thursday’s matchup with the Vancouver Canucks, the Boston Bruins needed another forward available. Richard had to get off the ice, grab a meal and take a nap before heading up to Boston, but he couldn’t sleep from the excitement. His Bruins debut wound up getting delayed with Marchand ending up playing in Boston’s 4-0 win, but Richard was fine with that.

“My legs were a little rusty in the warmup, so when ‘Marchy’ told me he was good to go, I was a little bit [disappointed] I’m not playing, but in some part I was kind of happy I was not playing because my legs were pretty tired,” Richard said on Friday. “But I was ready to go, for sure.”

The Trois-Rivieres, Quebec native has 19 goals and 19 assists through 41 games in Providence this season, his first in the organization. A 2015 fourth-round pick to Nashville, Richard has 15 total games of NHL experience. He played 13 games last season with his hometown Montreal Canadiens, scoring three goals and two assists, and he totaled 30 goals and 67 points in 60 games with AHL Laval.

After spending “about a month” adjusting to the Bruins’ system, Richard’s game took off in Providence. He scored in 16 of the past 20 games for a total of 24 points (13 goals, 11 assists) and was riding a five-game point streak leading into the call-up.

While he’s known for his offensive game, Richard said he was impressed with the responsibility he’s been handed on the defensive end and penalty kill, as well as the team’s commitment to winning at all levels.

“It’s probably the first team in the [AHL] that [plays] to win,” Richard said. “Usually in other organizations, it’s more like playing younger guys, trying to build their confidence back and usually their call-ups are younger guys, but here it’s more like we want to win down there when we’re winning here, so everybody is committed to playing the right way, like the playoff-type of game, which is the first time I’ve seen in that in the American Hockey League.”

Now in the NHL, those defensive tendencies will be needed. Richard is expected to make his Bruins debut on Saturday against the Washington Capitals playing on the fourth line with Danton Heinen and Jesper Boqvist. He’s played with Boqvist in Providence this season and believes both players will help his adjustment.

Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said he’s looking forward to seeing Richard’s speed, tenacity and forechecking. He’s also hoping to work him into the penalty kill. Richard will have every opportunity to lock in a semi-regular spot, but it will be a game-by-game process.

“We like to create more anxiety in other teams and there’s different ways to do that,” Montgomery said on Friday. “Speed is one of them that really makes people back off or make plays quicker than they want to. Physicality is another one. [Richard’s] had a real good year in Providence.”

With more notice ahead of Saturday’s game, Richard expects his family to travel down from Quebec. While most of his family grew up rooting for the Canadiens, his brother, Michael, wound up supporting the Black & Gold.

“He really loved the passion about the fans,” Richard said about his brother. “It’s a lot different than Montreal. [Boston’s] more about the physical aspect of the game, which he was playing when he was younger. He was a physical guy, so I think he loves the fighting, hitting and stuff that– Montreal, they’re more passionate about the game of hockey.”

On Saturday, Michael will no longer be the only Richard cheering on the Bruins.

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