Official: Rangers Sign Justin Richards to Entry-Level Contract
The New York Rangers took another dip into the collegiate free agent pool this afternoon as they agreed to terms with forward Justin Richards, the team announced.
The New York Rangers announced today that the team has agreed to terms with free agent forward Justin Richards on an entry-level contract. Richards’ contract begins at the start of the 2020-21 season. #NYR
— NYR Stats & Info (@NYRStatsInfo) April 2, 2020
Richards, 22, played 34 games with the University of Minnesota Duluth this past season where he registered 14 goals, 11 assists and had a plus-14 rating. Richards has also collected various accolades during his stint at Minnesota Duluth including two National Championships and was named the NCHC’s Best Defensive Forward in 2018-2019 and 2019-2020.
Over the previous two summers, Richards attended prospect development camp with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2018, and followed that up with an invite from the Boston Bruins in 2019. The 5-11, 190-pound forward finished his collegiate career registering 26 goals and 40 assists for 66 total points, along with a plus-40 rating and 38 penalty minutes.
While the details of the contract weren’t disclosed, CapFriendly has Richards’ entry-level contract coming in at two-years, and will pay him the maximum cap hit allowed at $925,000. The contract will begin at the start of the 2020-2021 regular season.
