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Luke Richardson

Luke Richardson

BROOKLYN, New York – The New York Islanders announced [Thursday] that Luke Richardson will serve as an Assistant Coach under Head Coach Doug Weight.

Richardson coached Canada’s National Men’s Team to the 2016 Spengler Cup Championship. He also helped Team Canada to a runner-up finish as an Assistant Coach at the 2016 Deutschland Cup. The Ottawa, ON, native spent four seasons as Head Coach of the American Hockey League’s Binghamton Senators from 2012-2016. Richardson was an Assistant Coach with the Ottawa Senators from 2009 to 2012.

“Luke brings a tireless work ethic and outstanding character to our organization,” Weight said. “He’ll have his hands on every aspect of the team, including our systems, skill development and team culture. Luke’s coaching experience, including four years running an organization as Head Coach in Binghamton, make him an excellent addition to our staff.”

As a player, Richardson appeared in 1,417 regular-season NHL games from 1987 to 2008 with six different teams, totaling 201 points (35 goals, 166 assists). The defenseman added eight assists in 69 Stanley Cup Playoff games. Richardson won gold with Team Canada at the 1994 World Championship and added a silver medal in 1996.

This is a terrific hiring for three reasons. The first being that Luke Richardson and Doug Weight are familiar with each other, first from their days in Edmonton as teammates.

Secondly, as alluded to before, Richardson knows how to win as a coach. After being denied a head coaching job in the NHL, he led Team Canada to victory at the 2016 Spengler Cup. He also has some experience being an assistant coach in Ottawa. So he knows what the job entails already, making him that much more valuable to Weight’s coaching staff.

Lastly, Richardson has significant experience in terms of developing young players. While Head Coach for the Binghamton Senators of the American Hockey League, several NHL players go their professional start under his wing, including Mike Hoffman, Mark Stone, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Chris Wideman, and others of the Ottawa Senators. Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad and Isles’ Shane Prince also had the privilege of playing for Richardson in Binghamton.

Richardson will be there to bring out the best in the Isles’ youngsters. Overall, terrific choice for the job.

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Evan is the Hockey Editor for DoubleGSports.com. He provides coverage of the New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, and Philadelphia Flyers, as well as some league-wide content.

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