Richards on NHL return- “It’s like being back with your family again”

I'm sure L.A Kings forward Mike Richards would be lying if he said it did not bother him to be demoted earlier in the season. However, he went into it like he does all things, positively. "Everything happens for a reason. You just try to make the best out of whatever scenario you’re put in.” That’s the philosophy he took with him at the start of his journey with the AHL's Manchester Monarchs. And as if written from a storybook, Richards was officially recalled by Los Angeles with renewed confidence and will hopefully go on to play a key role in the team making the playoffs. Whether he can help the Kings get there has yet to be seen, but for now he's just happy to be back. “It’s like being back with your family again,” Richards told the Los Angeles Times. The 30-year-old forward admitted to being initially “discouraged” when he was sent to the minors, but as he promised he made the most of his time there, scoring three goals and 14 points in 16 contests. “They’ve got a good group of guys in Manchester, which made it easier,” Richards said. “I think the biggest thing is the not knowing. I’m not very good at that, with anything, not knowing where I’m going to be or what is next. That was the hardest part for me — when it was going to happen or if it was going to happen.” His initial departure from the Kings was negative to say the least. The former 80-point scorer was averaging 13:41 minutes per game and recorded just five goals and 10 assists in 47 contests. He was put on waivers before being sent to the minors, but no one claimed the remainder of his 12-year, $69 million deal. Hopefully he makes the most of his second chance and shows he can still contribute at an NHL level. The good news is he still has the support of his coach. “I feel strongly about Mike Richards,” Kings Coach Darryl Sutter said before their unsanctimonious split. “I can’t say it any other way: I still think he has lots of hockey left in him.”