Anthony Richard Bio
Anthony Richard is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who plays for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on December 20, 1996, in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Richard has built a journeyman career across multiple organizations since being selected in the fourth round, 100th overall, by the Nashville Predators in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing roughly 180 pounds, he is recognized for his scoring touch at the minor-league level and his willingness to embrace a steady role within any organization that calls him up.
Across his career, Anthony Richard has suited up for the Nashville Predators, Tampa Bay Lightning, Montreal Canadiens, and Boston Bruins organizations, and he signed with the Philadelphia Flyers organization in July 2024. Although he has played only a limited number of NHL games, his production at the AHL level has consistently kept him in consideration for NHL opportunities. He is regarded as a reliable depth forward whose speed and offensive instincts make him a frequent recall candidate when parent clubs need short-term reinforcements.
Early Life and Background
Anthony Richard was born on December 20, 1996, in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, a city with a strong hockey tradition in the Canadian province of Quebec. Growing up in this region exposed him to the sport at a young age, as Trois-Rivières has long served as a hub for youth hockey development and minor-league play. The Quebec hockey culture, known for emphasizing skill, speed, and creativity, helped shape his early approach to the game.
Richard progressed through local minor-hockey programs and quickly established himself as a gifted forward with a knack for scoring. His performances in junior circuits drew attention from scouts in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), one of the premier development leagues for professional hockey in Canada. He eventually joined the Val-d’Or Foreurs, where he would spend the formative years of his junior career and earn the attention of National Hockey League scouts.
Path to Professional Hockey
Anthony Richard played major junior hockey with the Val-d’Or Foreurs of the QMJHL, where he developed into a reliable offensive contributor. During his time with the Foreurs, he showcased the speed, hands, and finishing ability that would later define his professional profile. In his fourth and final season with the club in 2015–16, Richard signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators on November 14, 2015, formalizing his transition to professional hockey.
That same year, he was selected in the fourth round, 100th overall, by the Nashville Predators in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Although a fourth-round selection does not always guarantee a full-time NHL opportunity, Richard used the Predators’ development system to refine his game. He spent several seasons with the Predators’ AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, gradually building the two-way responsibility and consistency expected of a depth forward at the professional level.
Anthony Richard Career
Early Career (2016–2021)
Following his entry-level deal, Anthony Richard began his professional career with the Milwaukee Admirals, the AHL affiliate of the Nashville Predators. He quickly became a regular contributor for the Admirals, posting consistent offensive numbers while adjusting to the pace and physicality of professional hockey. Over multiple seasons in the Predators organization, he developed into a dependable scoring winger and a respected locker-room presence.
During his time in the AHL, Richard earned opportunities to be recalled by the Predators when injuries created short-term openings. His development under the Predators organization laid the foundation for his later NHL chances, and his growth as a responsible two-way player made him a candidate for trade interest around the league. He played parts of six seasons within the Predators’ system before being dealt to another organization.
Nashville Predators Breakthrough (2018–2022)
Anthony Richard made his NHL debut on December 1, 2018, with the Nashville Predators against the Chicago Blackhawks, a 5–2 victory. The recall came as a temporary measure after Predators forward Filip Forsberg was injured, and Richard was returned to the Milwaukee Admirals immediately following the contest. Although brief, the appearance signaled that Richard was on the organization’s NHL radar.
During the 2021–22 season, while leading the Milwaukee Admirals in scoring with 7 goals and 12 points through 31 games, Richard was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning on February 1, 2022, in exchange for Jimmy Huntington. The move provided him with a new environment and a fresh opportunity to compete for NHL ice time within another organization known for its depth and development model.
Montreal Canadiens Era (2022–2023)
As a free agent following his time with the Lightning organization, Anthony Richard signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Montreal Canadiens on July 13, 2022. Because his preferred jersey number 20 was already worn by Juraj Slafkovský, he adopted number 90 as a tribute to legendary Canadiens forward Maurice “Rocket” Richard, a choice that endeared him to Montreal’s passionate fan base. He was assigned to the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket, where he produced immediate offense.
Richard’s performance with the Laval Rocket was strong enough to spark debate over a potential NHL call-up. On December 18, 2022, the Canadiens announced his promotion, with Richard leading the AHL in goals with 18 in 27 games and ranking third in points with 31. He made his Canadiens debut on December 19, 2022, against the Arizona Coyotes, and on December 21, 2022, he scored his first NHL goal against the Colorado Avalanche on a breakaway deke past goaltender Alexandar Georgiev. He went on to play seven games with the Canadiens that season before being returned to Laval, finishing with 3 goals and 5 points in 13 NHL games during the campaign.
Boston Bruins Era (2023–2024)
After his contract with Montreal expired, Anthony Richard signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Boston Bruins on July 1, 2023. He began the season with the Providence Bruins, Boston’s AHL affiliate, where he continued to provide consistent scoring. His play earned him a recall to the parent club in February 2024.
Richard was recalled by Boston from Providence on February 8, 2024, and made his Bruins debut on February 10, 2024, against the Washington Capitals in a 0–3 loss. He spent the remainder of the season contributing to the Bruins organization before becoming a free agent once again at the conclusion of his contract.
Philadelphia Flyers Era (2024–Present)
Leaving the Bruins at the conclusion of his contract, Anthony Richard signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Philadelphia Flyers as a free agent on July 2, 2024. The signing gave him a new organizational home and an opportunity to compete for ice time with the Flyers while playing a leading role with their AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The move underscored his continued value as a productive minor-league scorer with NHL experience.
Through the early portion of his Flyers tenure, Richard has been relied upon as a veteran presence within the Lehigh Valley Phantoms lineup. His track record of leading AHL forward groups in goal scoring has positioned him as a frequent candidate for NHL call-ups when the Flyers require short-term offensive depth. His familiarity with multiple organizations has also made him a steady professional presence in the locker room.
Driving Style and Strengths
Anthony Richard is widely regarded as a skilled, offensively driven forward whose game is built around speed, creativity, and finishing ability. At 5 feet 10 inches and roughly 180 pounds, he is not the largest player on the ice, but he compensates with quick acceleration and a willingness to attack the middle of the offensive zone. His ability to capitalize on breakaway opportunities, as demonstrated by his first NHL goal against the Colorado Avalanche, highlights his poise and puck-handling confidence in tight spaces.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Anthony Richard’s most memorable career moments is his first NHL goal on December 21, 2022, against the Colorado Avalanche, scored on a breakaway deke against goaltender Alexandar Georgiev. His selection in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft by the Nashville Predators, his trade to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2022, and his free-agent signings with the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, and Philadelphia Flyers each represent important milestones in a journeyman career that has spanned multiple organizations.
Anthony Richard Career Wins
Anthony Richard’s career has been defined more by consistent AHL production than by an extensive list of championship victories. While he has not yet secured a Calder Cup or Memorial Cup title, his track record includes leading AHL forward groups in goals and points, including a stretch with the Laval Rocket in which he paced the league with 18 goals in 27 games during the 2022–23 season.
QMJHL and AHL Highlights
With the Val-d’Or Foreurs of the QMJHL, Anthony Richard established himself as a reliable offensive contributor over four seasons, which ultimately led to his NHL Entry Draft selection. At the AHL level, his most notable individual accomplishment came during the 2022–23 season with the Laval Rocket, when his scoring outburst earned him a mid-season call-up to the Montreal Canadiens. He has continued to be a regular point producer in the AHL across stops with the Milwaukee Admirals, Laval Rocket, Providence Bruins, and Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his junior and AHL contributions, Anthony Richard has tallied NHL goals with both the Montreal Canadiens and appearances with the Nashville Predators and Boston Bruins. While his NHL totals remain modest, his ability to translate minor-league success into NHL opportunities reflects a consistent professional performance across organizations.
Anthony Richard Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Anthony Richard was raised in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, a city deeply rooted in hockey tradition. While specific details about his parents and siblings are not widely confirmed in available sources, his upbringing in this hockey-centric region of Quebec helped foster his early connection to the sport. His choice to wear number 90 with the Montreal Canadiens, paying tribute to Maurice “Rocket” Richard, suggests a personal appreciation for the storied history of Quebec hockey.
Personal Life
Anthony Richard focuses his public life primarily on his professional hockey career. Publicly available information about his spouse, children, and broader personal life remains limited, and he has not been the subject of widely reported personal-life announcements. His career path, which has moved him across multiple cities and organizations, reflects a player whose identity remains closely tied to his work on the ice.
2025 Season Performance
As of the 2025 season, Anthony Richard continues his role with the Philadelphia Flyers organization, primarily skating for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the AHL. Following his two-year free-agent contract signed in July 2024, he has served as a veteran scoring presence within the Phantoms’ forward group, providing leadership and consistent production. His history of being among the AHL’s top goal scorers has made him a frequent candidate for NHL call-ups whenever the Flyers require additional offensive depth.
The 2025 campaign represents an important opportunity for Richard to further establish himself within the Flyers system and potentially earn additional NHL appearances. With several teams having already benefited from his offensive instincts, the season offers a chance to demonstrate sustained consistency at the AHL level while remaining prepared for any NHL opportunity that may arise. His track record of producing at the minor-league level positions him well to continue contributing to whichever roster needs his services.
Looking ahead within his contract window, Anthony Richard’s combination of speed, scoring touch, and professional reliability ensures that he remains a relevant depth option for the Philadelphia Flyers. Whether deployed in the AHL or recalled to the NHL, his 2025 performance is likely to be measured by the same standard that has defined his career: consistent offensive contribution and a team-first approach.