Vegas Golden Knights left wing James Neal (18) leaps over Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban (76) in the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won 1-0. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
TAMPA, Fla. — Todd Richards never looked at himself as a pioneer. But he was part of laying the foundation for pro hockey in Las Vegas.
Richards, currently an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning, was an original member of the Las Vegas Thunder, which played from 1993 to 1999 in the International Hockey League. Back then, he could only dream that one day Las Vegas would be an NHL city.