Brad Richardson has done nothing but exceed expectations at every step, so perhaps it's time to stop being surprised by what he is accomplishing.
He has already proven to be a steal as a fifth round choice by the Colorado Avalanche out of Owen Sound, where as a junior he made a career out of getting the puck to future Mighty Ducks of Anaheim star Bobby Ryan.
Now, in his first professional season, Richardson has already worked his way up from the AHL to earn a steady job in Colorado, who saw fit to promote him in January after a brief call-up in November.
"I was disappointed about going in the fifth round," Richardson said. "I thought maybe I'd go higher. But what counts is what you do after the draft and not what position you get picked. So if you work hard after that, they'll recognize that, and good things will happen."
Good things did happen for Richardson, whose elevation by the Avs left a hole back in Lowell that has yet to be filled.
Lock Monsters coach Tom Rowe looks at it philosophically: Player development is the name of the game in the AHL, and Richardson's development has been a high spot in what has been a disappointing season for the Monsters.
"I like him a lot," said Rowe. "He's got a ton of skill, and he's started really well when he got the (first call-up), and I think the call-up only helped him, because he went in there and played terrific. There was a big difference in his speed and urgency to the puck. He always had poise with the puck, but the biggest improvement is what he has done away from it."
Richardson sees the ice well and wastes no time dishing off to the open man. It would probably help him, though, to put a little meat on his bones and build up his upper body strength.
Even Richardson admits to having surpassed his own initial expectations.
"I just wanted to come in and establish myself," he said, "and make sure I was competing every night. You learn things from every coach you have. You're always learning every night. Even the NHL guys. They're always trying some new trick to get better. You see guys like Joe Sakic. He's had an unbelievable career, and he's still out there working, shooting pucks after practice, and finding ways of trying to play better. So on every level, you're always going to be learning."
