Richards spent most of the 2023 season in the AHL, picking up 10 goals and 29 assists (39 points) in 61 games for the Cleveland Monsters. He appeared in two NHL games with the Blue Jackets, posting one assist while averaging 10:48 TOI/gm. He'll likely start the 2023-24, in the AHL.

Richards had an assist and was a -1 plus/minus through two games but has been reassigned to Cleveland (AHL) on Monday. The 25-year-old returns to the AHL, where he has 10 goals, 25 assists, 50 PIMs and a +4 plus/minus through 54 games played this season.

Richards is an undrafted free agent centre, who had 14 goals and 11 assists (25 points) in 34 games in his junior year at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Richards will likely return to University for his senior season and join Hartford (AHL) when he turns pro.