Luke Richardson is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over 20 years. He was born on March 26, 1969, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and began his hockey career playing for the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 1985.
Richardson was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut in the 1987-88 season. He played for the Maple Leafs for four seasons before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers in 1991.
Richardson played for the Oilers for six seasons and was a key member of their defense during their Stanley Cup championship run in 1990. He then played for the Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Ottawa Senators before retiring in 2008.
Throughout his career, Richardson was known for his physical play and defensive skills. He was a reliable defenseman who could be counted on to shut down opposing teams' top players. He was also a respected leader in the locker room and served as captain for the Blue Jackets and the Senators.
After retiring from playing, Richardson became an assistant coach for the Senators and later the New York Islanders. In 2018, he was named head coach of the AHL's Belleville Senators, the AHL affiliate of the Ottawa Senators.
Off the ice, Richardson has been involved in various charitable organizations, including the Luke Richardson Family Fund, which was established in memory of his daughter Daron, who died by suicide in 2010. The fund supports mental health initiatives and suicide prevention programs.
In summary, Luke Richardson had a successful career as a professional ice hockey player, playing for multiple teams over a span of more than 20 years. He was known for his physical play and defensive skills and was a respected leader in the locker room. After retiring from playing, he became a coach and has been involved in various charitable organizations.
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