Cardiff Devils’ Mark Richardson wrote himself into the Elite League history books on Sunday night.
The 39-year-old broke the British record for most appearances in the Elite League, reaching 1,178 games during their 5-0 victory over Fife Flyers.
Richardson played his first game in the Elite League for the Devils back in 2005.
He made the move to the Nottingham Panthers for the 2007/08 season and then split the following season between the Panthers and Basingstoke Bison before making the move back to Cardiff for the 2009/10 season.
Richardson has spent almost all of the last 17 years of his professional career with the Devils, aside from a 13-game stint in Kazakhstan in 2012. He also spent the Covid-cancelled 2020/21 season in Germany.
Richardson surpasses Steelers legend
Photo credit: James Assinder
Before Sunday’s game, Richardson shared the all-time record with Cardiff-born Jonathan Phillips, who earned legend status at Sheffield Steelers having become the first player to have featured 1,000 times in the Elite League for one team.
Phillips made an appearance at the Vindico Arena on Sunday, as part of celebrations marking the achievements of Richardson, who last year surpassed Phillips’ Great Britain appearance record by playing his 117th game on the national stage.
‘The ultimate pro’
Photo credit: James Assinder
“Richy is already a legend in British Ice Hockey,” said Devils managing director Todd Kelman ahead of Sunday’s game.
“He recently broke the record for most games played as a Cardiff Devil and now is set to become the all-time leader in games played in EIHL history.
“He has been an incredible player for this club for nearly two decades. He has played a vital role in every championship we have won and been a great ambassador for us off the ice.
“He is the ultimate pro and the ultimate team-mate.
“We are lucky to have had him play nearly all of his 1,176 EIHL games for the Devils, and we expect to be celebrating more milestones before he ever decides to hang up his skates.”
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