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Thaddeus “Teddy” Richards, United States men’s national hockey team and Florida Panthers equipment manager, was arrested Friday.
Richards, 43, was arrested in Florida on misdemeanor charges of domestic violence and unauthorized use of 911 services, according to online records. The Athletic was the first to report it.
The incident occurred in Coral Springs, Florida, and Richards was in custody at the Broward Main Jail in Fort Lauderdale Friday evening.
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Team USA #1 Jeremy Swayman and equipment manager Teddy Richards react from the bench during the first period of the 4 Nations showdown between Team Sweden and Team USA at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Steve Babineau/4NFO/Hockey World Cup via Getty Images)
“The Florida Panthers organization has been made aware of an incident involving the arrest of equipment manager Teddy Richards,” the Panthers said in a statement.
“Effective immediately, he will be suspended from all team activities and facilities pending investigation.”
PK Press Club Digital reached out to USA Hockey for a statement but did not immediately receive a response.
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Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, Florida Panthers president Bill Zito, Panthers equipment manager Teddy Richards and Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk pose with a puck to celebrate their Olympic gold medal before an NHL game between the Maple Leafs and Panthers on February 26, 2026, at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. (Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Richards is a native of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and began his career working for the Pittsburgh Penguins organization. He worked with the Penguins’ AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins from 2002 to 2013.
After more than a decade in the AHL, he was promoted to assistant equipment manager for the Penguins. He stayed there from 2013 to 2016 and was part of the staff for the team’s Stanley Cup run in 2016.
After the Penguins won the Stanley Cup, he left for the Panthers. He has been responsible for the Panthers’ equipment since the 2016-17 season.
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Florida Panthers equipment manager Teddy Richards celebrates with the Stanley Cup after Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. (Dave Sandford/NHLI)
He was part of the team during its two Stanley Cup championships in 2023-24 and 2024-25.
While with the Penguins, Richards worked with head coach Mike Sullivan, who was the head coach of Team USA during the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Showdown and the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
Richards was the team equipment manager for those two Team USA teams, his ties to Sullivan helping him land the role.
