Jacques Richard

Joseph Alfred Gilles Jacques Richard (October 7, 1952 – October 8, 2002) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Atlanta Flames, Buffalo Sabres, and Quebec Nordiques. After an impressive junior career, Richard was considered a potential NHL superstar, but, except for a single season late in his career, he failed to live up to the promise. He led a troubled life both in hockey and after. Six years after retiring, in 1989, he was arrested for attempting to smuggle cocaine and then in 2002, Richard died in a car accident driving back from a party celebrating his 50th birthday.

Career

Richard was drafted 2nd overall in the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft.

Richard had a spectacular junior career with the Quebec Remparts, scoring 186 goals and 213 assists for 399 points in only 169 games. At the time Richard was considered by some hockey experts to have equal, if not more, pro potential than teammate Guy Lafleur. Indicative of the level of success Richard had achieved, in 1969, he was named to the all-time QMJHL All-Star team by the Canadian Hockey League.

Professional For the 1972–73 season the NHL added two teams, the Atlanta Flames and the New York Islanders, with a coin toss in June 1972 deciding which team would get the first choice in the draft. Concerned that the new World Hockey Association might sign the two top prospects, Billy Harris and Richard, the two expansion teams held their own coin toss in advance, won by New York, who elected to select Harris. This allowed the teams to begin immediate negotiations with the players.

Richard's rookie year in Atlanta was a disappointment. He rarely spoke to anyone that first year, perhaps a clue to problems adapting to the NHL. In February, after a game at Toronto in which the coach had sat him out, Richard left the team to return to his home in Quebec City and missed a couple practices without his coach's permission. Richard's uncle and agent said Richard "just reacted like a mixed-up kid. He got a little mad in Toronto, a little upset. Now he's realized he was wrong. He has decided he wants to play hockey again." Richard returned but finished the season scoring only 13 goals.

Teamed in his second season with Tom Lysiak, his prospects seemed brighter as he scored 27 goals.

After three years with Atlanta, he was traded to the Buffalo Sabres, a team with more Francophone players. However, in his first season with Buffalo, Richard scored only 12 goals. Early in his second season, a teammate accused Richard of not giving a good effort during practices. In November, Richard was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Although team management said the two were not connected, Richard was then sent to Buffalo's minor league affiliate, the Hershey Bears. Buffalo Sabre general manager Punch Imlach in his book Heaven and Hell in the NHL recalled his travails dealing with Richard's drinking. On one occasion, Richard was forced to miss a game due to a sprained wrist which had been hurt in a bar fight. On another, he barely missed being shot in a Quebec bar; the bullet went through his pant leg. Imlach describes Richard as "a nice kid, good hockey player" but he was "wasting his talent". Richard spent the next five seasons alternating between the NHL and playing full seasons in the minors. In February 1980, Buffalo terminated Richard's contract, which left him free to sign with any team.

Immediately after being released by Buffalo, Richard signed with the Quebec Nordiques. Then, on October 8, 2002, driving home from his 50th birthday party, Richard was killed in a single-vehicle accident when he drove his car into a culvert.

Awards and honours QMJHL All-Star First Team: 1970–71, 1971–72 QMJHL Beliveau Trophy: 1971–72 (points leader)

Career statistics