Jacques Richard

Jacques Richard (October 7, 1952 – October 8, 2002) was a professional centre who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Atlanta Flames, Buffalo Sabres, and Quebec Nordiques.

Playing career
Richard was drafted 2nd overall by the Flames in the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft. He had a spectacular junior career with the Quebec Remparts, scoring 186 goals and 213 assists for 399 points in only 169 games. At the time he was considered by some to have equal if not more pro potential than teammate Guy Lafleur. However he was to have a mostly indifferent pro career. Alternating seasons between the NHL and the minors and traded to Buffalo and finally Quebec. Except for a single season, playing on a line with the Stastny brothers for the Quebec Nordiques, the city of his junior triumphs, in the 1980–81 season, Richard tallied 52 goals and 51 assists for 103 points, to finish 10th in league scoring. This was to be the only time he was to show this potential. He was moved off the line with the Stastny's the next season and his mediocre play returned. He retired in 1983.

Retirement and death
He was named to QMJHL all-time All-Star team by the Canadian Hockey League in 1999.

Richard died October 8, 2002 in a single-vehicle car accident one day after his 50th birthday.