BLOG: Eaton Calls Richardson 'One of the Best Teammates' in His Career

For a rookie coming into the NHL, it's nerve-racking the first time you walk into a dressing room full of established veterans -- guys you've grown up emulating and future Hall of Famers. In the fall of 1999, that was the case for Mark Eaton, now the Blackhawks' Assistant General Manager, Development, but back then just a 22-year-old rookie getting his start with the Philadelphia Flyers.
"I viewed it as an intimidating situation going into that Philly locker room with some of the big names," Eaton said, alluding to stars like Eric Lindros, Mark Recchi and John LeClair.
But there was a 12-year veteran in the room who took the young Eaton under his wing: Luke Richardson, now the 40th head coach in Blackhawks franchise history.
"He was always there to just kind of show me the ropes," Eaton explained. "He had been there. He had been on long playoff runs. But he'd been a rookie, too, so I'm sure he was able to recollect back to that time and just say, 'Hey, relax, play the game, do your thing.'"

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"Where he was in his career, you don't always see veteran guys going out of their way to meet younger guys who are potentially competing for for their position," he added, "but he was always open to help out on the ice and off the ice."
Eaton skated in 27 games during that 1999-00 season, the first of a 13-year NHL career, but to this day, Richardson stands out in his mind.
"Just one of the one of the best guys I've ever crossed paths with in hockey," he said.
The unique situation today is not lost on Eaton. The very man who helped him embark on his career will now work closely with him to build the Blackhawks of the future. It's now the job of Eaton and his staff to shepherd young prospects to his former mentor and the NHL level. There, Richardson will help take their games another notch higher.
"To have AHL coaching experience, NHL assistant coaching experience, he's got plenty plenty of experience working with today's young player," Eaton said. "He knows today's athlete, he knows today's professional hockey player and you couple that with the character traits, the intangibles that he had to be able to have a 1,400 plus game NHL career, those are things, along with the hockey side of it, that he'll be able to pass along to our young players and help them reach their potential and get the most out of themselves."
"I think it's a great hire," Eaton added. "Excited to catch up and be working closely with him."