Report: Ex-Flyers Captain in Drug Drama at Canadian Border

Marian Gaborik, Mike Richards and Jeff Carter at LA Kings 2014 Stanley Cup Victory Parade. Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock.com

According to multiple reports, former Flyers captain Mike Richards, who recently had his contract terminated by the Los Angeles Kings, was questioned about oxycodone by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police at the U.S.-Canada border.

The Winnipeg Sun says Richards was detained for four hours at a Manitoba border crossing July 17th after he was found to be in possession of OxyContin. The Manitoba RCMP is investigating, but no charges have been filed.

Richards was Flyers captain when the team advanced to the Stanley Cup Final in 2010. Richards feuded with media members after stories emerged about the team’s hard-partying ways. Richards complained about several stories: “The drinking articles and things like that. That we’re going out all the time. It said the players were drinking too much and Richards and [Jeff] Carter are out all the time.”

The team traded Richards to the Kings for Wayne Simmonds and Brayden Schenn in June 2011. The Daily News’s Dan Gross reported at the time the team traded Richards (and Jeff Carter) in part because “the Flyers front office was disappointed in Carter and Richards’ longstanding party lifestyle and that teammates were concerned about the pair’s drinking.”

Richards was cut in Los Angeles for “a material breach of the requirements of his Standard Player’s Contract.” The NHLPA is expected to appeal. Richards had been struggling on the ice, despite winning two Stanley Cups with the Kings, and spent some of last season in the minor leagues.

Reports say the Flyers are not interested in signing Richards.