University of Minnesota Athletics
USA Hockey Spotlight: Todd Richards
5/20/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
USA Hockey Spotlight: Skjei | USA Hockey Spotlight: Fasching | USA Hockey Spotlight: Schroeder
MINNEAPOLIS (GopherSports.com) - With four Gopher Hockey alums competing with the U.S. Men's National Team at the 2016 IIHF Men's World Championship in Russia, GopherSports.com caught up with Brady Skjei, Hudson Fasching, Jordan Schroeder and assistant coach Todd Richards during their time in St. Petersburg.
Todd Richards is the fourth and final Gopher Hockey alum profiled. A native of Crystal, Minn., Richards is behind the U.S. bench for the fourth time in his career, most recently serving as head coach of the U.S Men's National Team last year as the team won bronze behind eight wins - the most ever by a U.S. squad at the event. Richards, who has previously served as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild, was also an assistant coach for the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team and the 2010 Men's National Team at the IIHF Men's World Championship.
GopherSports.com: Gopher Hockey alum Jordan Schroeder is one of the more veteran players on this year's team. What have you seen from him so far at the tournament?
Todd Richards: He brings speed and NHL experience. We are a young team, a very young team actually. And when you're a young team, you're always looking for veterans to lead. He's come in and done a great job in that regard.
GS: How about Brady Skjei? You're leading the U.S. defensive corps. What have you thought of him so far?
TR: I knew Schroeder before this tournament, but Brady is kind of new for us. He's a guy whose play has really impressed us so far at the tournament.
GS: One last alum question for you, and only one alum left to ask about. How much of an impact has Hudson Fasching had while playing in Russia?
TR: Hudson's a big guy and he plays that way. He's gotten better and better every day here. Part of that improvement is simply getting comfortable and getting used to the speed of the game here. You have to play faster with your legs and your mind.
GS: You led the U.S. to a bronze medal last year at this tournament. How excited are you to be back this year?
TR: I'm excited about this opportunity. It's always an honor and a privilege to represent your country. And that goes for everyone associated with USA Hockey…the managers, the coaches, the staff, the players…it's a great honor to be associated with the Red, White and Blue. I've had great experiences with USA Hockey in the past, and I'm excited to be back behind the bench.
GS: How much of a difference are these kinds of tournaments from the day-to-day grind of an NHL season?
TR: It's very different. In the NHL, every game is on TV and you're pretty familiar with teams, coaches and players. With international play, the preparation is very different. The players are foreign to you…you might be seeing them for the first time, and it's all new. It's important to process that information quickly and pass it along to the team to give them a chance to have success.
Richards and Team USA will play Canada in semifinal action on Saturday, May 21 at 12:15 p.m. CT. All Comcast Regional Sports Networks will carry the game and a live stream will be available on NBC Sports Live Extra.
