Boulder native, Monarch alum Richards excited to get ’21-22 rolling with NA3HL’s Quake
After graduating from Boulder High School and playing high school hockey for Monarch, Evan Richards hoped an opportunity would arise for him to play junior hockey starting with the 2021-22 season.
That’s when the NA3HL’s Yellowstone Quake entered the picture.
“(Yellowstone coach-GM) CJ Sweigart reached out to me after the CCM Showcase and I liked the team and how engaged CJ was with myself and all of the questions I had,” said Richards, a talented forward from Boulder. “I do not currently know any of the guys on the Quake but I’m glad I get the opportunity to play with people I have never played with before.
“I don’t think the change will be very difficult, but I do think being away from home will come with its own adjustments.”
Richards said he started going to learn-to-skate classes when he was about five years old.
“There really never was a reason of why I started,” Richards said. “I just asked my parents one day if they could take me ice skating and after that, they couldn’t keep me away from the ice.”
Once he got in the groove, Richards played at the YMCA and for the Boulder Hockey Club.
“I have played for many teams in the past 13 years, and I would have to say my favorite team was playing with Monarch,” said Richards. “I did grow up with Andy Finney as my coach as well as a really good family friend.
“This past season was a fun one but also very challenging. We thought there was going to be no season and there was never any certainty with this past season but nonetheless, my teammates and I pushed through.”
Going forward, Richards doesn’t want to ever leave the ice.
“Long term, I want to continue playing for as long as I can, whether it’s just hanging out with friends or some sort of pickup league,” he said. “I hope to have hockey in my life forever.”
— Matt Mackinder
(September 9, 2021)