In the NY Times, Jeff Klein writes about Brad Richards and how the big role that he had taken in the community following Hurricane Sandy validates the Rangers faith in bringing in Richards to be a leader on and off the ice.

Richards reached out to Matt Long, who lost his house in the Hurricane, and went out to Breezy Point with Steve Eminger and Marian Gaborik gutting flood damaged houses with a crowbar and sledgehammer.

Richards told Long that he wanted no recognition for his work, saying “If someone knows who I am and I bring a smile to their face, great. If not, I’d rather make them smile just helping people.”

@AdamRotter brad is a gentleman ! He contacted me and we hit Rockaway and breezy point for two hard days of gutting and cleaning homes—
Matt Long (@Mattslongrun) November 20, 2012

@AdamRotter no media no pats on the back just a friends helping out people in need. Emmy and gabby as well—
Matt Long (@Mattslongrun) November 20, 2012

Richards said that the work he is doing is what anyone in his position would do.