Chicago coach Luke Richardson enjoyed his time as Isles assistant under Doug Weight
Head coach Luke Richardson of Chicago looks on against the Detroit Red Wings during the second period at United Center on October 21, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. Credit: Getty Images
CHICAGO — New Chicago coach Luke Richardson spent just one season as an Islanders assistant under Doug Weight in 2017-18. But he believes that experience is part of what helped him land his first job as an NHL bench boss.
“I enjoyed my time there,” said Richardson on Tuesday before his team lost to the Islanders, 3-1, at United Center. “Too bad it wasn’t longer but all roads lead to something and it led me here.”
Richardson played 21 seasons in the NHL and was a Senators assistant coach before joining the Islanders, then served in that role with the Canadiens before being named Chicago’s coach.
Chicago center Jason Dickinson said Richard’s communication skills, his ability to “talk through every little detail,” and calmness behind the bench have helped Chicago.
Islanders right wing Cal Clutterbuck remembered Richardson as an “even-keeled, humble, capable guy.”
Richardson said his personality worked well with Weight’s.
“Dougie is a passionate guy,” Richardson said. “I’m a more calm guy and I think he liked that to have that on his staff. But you can’t just be calm all the time. You have to have some energy. I really enjoyed that playing with him as a player, then coaching with him.”
AHL honor
F Ruslan Iskhakov, a second-round pick of the Islanders in 2018 in his first North American professional season, was named the AHL’s rookie of the month after notching four goals and seven assists in seven games for Bridgeport in October. The 5-9, 165-pound Iskhakov played two seasons of collegiate hockey for Connecticut from 2018-20.
Isles files
Brock Nelson scored his fourth goal in three games, with all coming in the third period . . . Zach Parise has a three-game goal streak . . . Oliver Wahlstrom logged a team-low 8:40 . . . Mathew Barzal had a four-game point streak snapped . . . F Nikita Soshnikov and D Robin Salo remained healthy scratches
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
