Richter enjoys Union College hockey as a striker rather than a goalkeeper

SCHENECTADY For a time as a youth hockey player, Tom Richter played the goalkeeper just like his father, the legendary New York Rangers goalkeeper Mike Richter, who blocked the team for the 1994 Stanley Cup.

But Richter also played youth hockey. And he liked it a lot.

I started as a goalkeeper. I was probably 5 or 6, said Richter, the Union freshman before the team trained on Thursday at Messa Rink. However, just like the activities of the young teams, I played ahead because there was alternation. I fell in love ahead.

And what did Richters’ father think?

I don’t know how my dad really feels about this, Richter said with a laugh. I never looked back. Since then, it has gone great.

Richter said he contacted his father to advise on college hockey and the recruitment process. Mike Richter played college hockey in Wisconsin, and the award for best goalkeeper in college hockey is named after him.

He has been a great help, Richter said. I trust him all the time just for advice and honestly, as a friend to talk to through the ups and downs. I love him in the corner, and he helped me tremendously.

Richter is no stranger to the Union. Four years ago, she attended Messa Rink’s summer outlook camp. He immediately fell in love with the Union.

Ever since I stepped on foot on campus for the first time, something from school grabbed me, Richter said. Loved it ever since. Since then, I have been [thinking] this is the school i want to go to.

From the outset, the Union showed a great deal of interest in me. They have a special place in my heart just because they always have a good relationship with them. When I got the chance to come here, I jumped into it in an instant.

Richter, a left-handed shot, played 20 matches in a shortened season at the British Columbia Hockey Association’s Penticton Waters last year. He scored three goals and six assists.

In addition to being in the camp of opportunity, Union head coach Rick Bennett saw Richter play at Salisbury School in 2018-19 and BCHL Prince George Spruce Kings the following season. Bennett liked what he saw.

He can skate, Bennett said. He always seems to be involved in the play. He showed some skill when he had these skillful areas. And he has character. He is a good, quality guy when he visits and only gets to know him.

Im looking for speed and skill if needed, and a good pre-inspection. Hopefully he learns to finish his hit just like they all do. I think he can also influence the ex ante control.

THE PERFECT TRAINING

Thursday was the first full-team practice of the season as the Dutch prepare for their show game against RPI 2. October at the Mass. This is their first match since he lost to Yale in ECAC Hockey’s first-round game 3 on March 8, 2020. The schedule for recent seasons was canceled due to a coronavirus pandemic.

The Dutch will play their first regular season match on October 8 in New Hampshire.

The players and coaches were happy to return to the ice.

Everything we went through last year was just very excited, Union striker Josh Kosack said. Apparently, when classes started late this year, we were excited to get everyone back together with the coaching staff. We were very excited and just trying to prepare for UNH.

Training, which aims to keep the season this year, makes the exercises more fun.

Last year, we practiced a lot with strangers and a lot of what would happen, Kosack said. So now that we have an official start day at RPI as a show game followed by UNH next weekend, there will definitely be a little more jump in our step. I think I was much more grateful for the opportunity just because of what happened last year and for the fact that you can never take anything for granted.

NO Streaming

While most union games will be broadcast on ESPN + this season, a union spokesman said the anti-RPI show game will not be televised.

Categories: College Sports, Sports