Mark Richardson returns for 2024-25

Pictured above: Richardson in action on Retro Night last season (photo James Assinder)

Mark Richardson returns to the Devils for the 2024-25 season, which will be his 17^th year with the club. 

Last season was his third season as Captain of the Devils. He played 72 games in all competitions and led the team in blocked shots while amassing 14 assists over the course of the season.  He also iced in 3 Olympic Qualifier games for Team GB and another 7 games at the IIHF World Championships. 

Richardson, who first played for the Devils when he was just 19 years old, turn 38 in October, and continues to be one of the top defenceman in the Elite League.  He is one of the league leaders in ice time every season and is the Devils top shot blocker, making him invaluable on the penalty kill. 

Pictured above:  Richardson led the team in blocked shots again last season (photo James Assinder)

Two seasons ago in 2022-23, Richardson played his 1,000^th Elite League game, one of only three players in league history to reach this milestone.  

During his professional career, he has had stints away from the Devils, spending the 2007-08 season with the Nottingham Panthers, then the following season split between the Panthers and the Basingstoke Bison.  During his time with Nottingham, his coach Corey Neilson converted him from a slick skating forward into a defenceman, and the rest is history.

He started the 2012-13 season in Kazakhstan with Arlan Kokshetau before returning to the Devils after 13 games.  Richardson also spent a season away from Cardiff in 2020-21 when the Elite League season was cancelled due to Covid-19.  He played in the German DEL2 that season for Bad Nauheim. 

Pictured above: Richardson against Sheffield last season (photo James Assinder)

Head Coach Pete Russell spoke about re-signing Richardson for another year:

“Mark is an anomaly in this game.  He is turning 38 but still manages to play a lot of minutes and plays the game the right way. 

“He is the best shot blocker we have and is so good on the penalty kill. He can also jump into the play and he makes smart decisions with the puck at both ends of the ice.

“Richy leads by example, comes to work every day, trains hard on and off the ice, looks after himself, and is consistently solid night in and night out.

“We know what we are getting every game from him, and that is why he has been so valuable to the Devils and the National Team for nearly two decades.”

Watch the full interview with Mark Richardson below: