Premier Pat Binns today congratulated Brad Richards and the Tampa Bay Lightning on winning the Stanley Cup in Tampa Bay, Florida. The Lightning defeated the Calgary Flames last night to clinch the franchise’s first championship.
In recognizing Richards, Binns announced that Islanders would have a special opportunity to celebrate Richard’s accomplishments on “Brad Richards Day,” slated for July 9th. The date was chosen to coincide with the kick-off of the Brad Richards Celebrity Golf Tournament Weekend.
Premier Binns also congratulated Brad on being named Conn Smythe Trophy Winner. The Conn Smythe Trophy goes to the Most Valuable Player in the Stanley Cup playoffs following the final game. Richards is the first Islander to win the Conn Smythe Trophy.
“On behalf of all Island hockey fans, I wish to extend congratulations to Brad on this great victory and his superb leadership and play,” said Premier Binns. “All Islanders are proud of Brad’s accomplishments and hope to see him on PEI with the Stanley Cup in the very near future.”
“In winning the Conn Smythe Trophy, Brad Richards has demonstrated that he is a true superstar in the NHL. Now his name will sit next to hockey greats such as Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux,” said the Premier.
Brad was one of the leading point scorers during the 2004 playoffs, proving he is one of the top, up-and-coming young stars in the National Hockey League.