For New Jersey coach Peter DeBoer, Devils forward David Clarkson and Kings forward Mike Richards, memories of the 2003 Memorial Cup have been rekindled as the three now find themselves on opposite sides in a quest for an even greater hockey prize.
But back in 2003, they were united in their cause, with DeBoer then behind the bench for the Ontario Hockey League's Kitchener Rangers and Clarkson and Richards two of his top forwards.
The Rangers triumphed that year, winning junior hockey's top prize in Quebec with a 6-3 victory over QMJHL champion Hull in the final. Richards was in his second of four seasons under DeBoer in Kitchener that year, and that championship remains a special memory.
"Well, he was the coach there when we won the Memorial Cup, so that's obviously the best memory of Kitchener," Richards said via Rich Hammond of the LA Kings Insider. "It's hard to believe it's already been seven years [since his junior career ended]. He's getting old. I'm getting old, but he's getting really old."
The bond between player and coach has remained strong, though, and despite now being on opposite sides, Richards appreciates all DeBoer did for his development in the OHL.
"We text every once in a while," Richards said. "I would see him when he used to be in Florida. I talked to him briefly when we went to Jersey [in October]. He had a big part in my career, getting me through the four years and teaching me a lot, and obviously won with it, too, not only at the Memorial Cup, but he was there in World Juniors as an assistant coach. It was a pretty unique situation, but I obviously hope that we have success."
It will be Richards' second chance at a Cup. He came up short when he was with Philadelphia and the Flyers fell to Chicago in the 2010 Final. Now he has another shot in his first season in Los Angeles, while DeBoer has taken the Devils to the Final in his first season in New Jersey. His old coach's quick success with the Devils doesn't come as a shock to Richards.
"I'm not surprised by it," Richards said. "One, they have a really good team, and obviously a great organization. He's such a smart hockey coach, not only with X's and O's but knows how to get the most out of his players. In games, he's very smart in matchups and stuff like that. I'm not really surprised by it. They obviously have a good team, and he's doing well coaching, too."
It was easier when DeBoer was coaching Richards, who had 37-50-87 totals and another 27 points in 21 playoff games for Kitchener in 2002-03. Now he, and Clarkson, will have to find a way to stop Richards and the rest of the Kings to win a Cup that means even more.
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