All the reports and rumors of former Los Angeles Kings forward Mike Richards' alleged arrest at a Canadian-U.S. border crossing have finally culminated in the filing of official charges. According to the Manitoba Royal Canadian Mounted Police twitter account, Richards has been charged with "possession of a controlled substance," while attempting to enter Canada. He is set to appear in court on Sep. 10.
RCMP constable Paul Human told TSN's Rick Westhead that Richards was arrested on June 17 in Emerson, MB at approximately 2 p.m. Richards was found to be in possession of "some pills in a single bottle."
"It was clearly a small quantity intended for his personal use," the source said, via TSN.
Richards, drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the first-round in 2003 and with whom he spent six NHL seasons before being dealt to the Kings prior to 2011-12, had his contract terminated by LA in late June. While most assumed it was simply a long time coming considering the down turn in his play, highlighted by his being sent him down to the AHL last season, and his high cap hit, reports immediately began to emerge that there may have been much more to it.
First, it was rumored that Richards' termination stemmed from an off-the-ice incident at a border crossing, which the team, and specifically GM Dean Lombardi, allegedly first learned of while discussing a potential Richards trade with interested teams at the 2015 NHL Draft. Lombardi reportedly broke off those negotiations and the team subsequently terminated his contract citing a "material breach of the requirements of his Standard Player's Contract."
Further reports revealed that Richards was being investigated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and that Richards' arrest may have involved the painkiller oxycodone or oxycontin.
Prior to this point Richards had not been charged with a crime.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have offered no further updates to this point.
The NHL Players Association filed a grievance in Aug. on Richard's behalf after the Kings terminated his contract.
