Rachel Richards fulfills dream of playing for UPEI

Article content“What I love about Rachel is she had offers to go elsewhere, but she wanted to be a Panther,” said Fisher. “She wanted to play at UPEI.Article content“I was a new coach coming in and didn’t really know much about her. She was given an opportunity in camp, and she took the opportunity and earned it. I think she kind of wears that as like a badge of honour that she walked onto the program.”Article contentEach year, Richards was entrusted with increased responsibilities on the ice.Article content“Rachel’s a really good example of how it works at the U Sports level,” said Fisher. “First off, she walked onto the team. She wasn’t guaranteed a spot on this roster. She’s had to earn everything.Article content“Often through her first few years, she was a healthy scratch, and she didn’t play big minutes. She wasn’t out there in every special-team situation, but she stuck with it, has grown and really matured as a player. Her development is a testament to her work ethic.”Article contentArticle contentDefence partnerArticle contentRichards has been paired with Orianna MacNeil and says the two complement each other well.Article content“We played together at the Mount (Academy) in Grade 12, and we were both walk-ons in our first year,” said Richards. “We’re roommates. We’re together all the time.Article content“We’re best of friends and she’s more of like an offensive defenceman where I’m kind of more stay-at-home. If she goes up (the ice), she knows I’m back.”Article contentAlong with on-ice contributions, Fisher described Richards as a quiet team leader.Article content“Her work ethic and her style of play rubs off on others,” said Fisher. “There are lots of different ways to lead, but she’s done a really good job of, first and foremost, leading herself.Article content“She’s kind of moved into leading others and starting to leave a legacy within the program. It’s pretty special to see.”Article content Rachel Richards, 21, and UPEI Panthers’ teammate Savannah Hicks, 19, move the puck back and forth during a recent AUS Women’s Hockey Conference game at MacLauchlan Arena in Charlottetown. Photo by Janessa Vanden Broek/UPEI Athletics /Special to The GuardianArticle contentRichards and the Panthers are back on home ice at MacLauchlan Arena in Charlottetown against the St. Thomas Tommies on Nov. 9 at 3 p.m.Article contentArticle contentThe Panthers took a record of 7-2-1-0 (won-lost-overtime losses-shootout losses) and a one-point lead over the UNB Reds (7-2-0-0) into a first-place showdown between the two teams in Fredericton on Nov. 7.Article content“We have had a pretty good start and compared to the other years, this team just feels different,” said Richards. “Everyone wants to go to the rink. They’re ready to give it their all in the gym in and at the rink, and everyone’s friends on the team. We don’t have anyone that’s excluded – everyone feels part of a family when you get to the rink.”Article contentPlayers contributingArticle contentFisher credited the Panthers’ strong start to a total team effort.Article content“It starts in the crease,” said Fisher. “We’ve gotten great goaltending (from Erin Cabaday and Sarah Forsythe). Our goalie coach, Nelson MacAulay, has really done a great job with those two.Article content“Our defence, Rachel being one of the leaders, has been just really good in all facets of the game. We’ve been really tough to play against and we’ve taken care of our own zone first and I think that’s helping get some positive results.”