Florida Panthers equipment manager arrested, suspended by NHL team

Florida Panthers equipment manager Thaddeus “Teddy” Richards was arrested on Friday, July 17 in Coral Springs, Florida, and suspended indefinitely by the team.

Richards was charged with misdemeanor battery/domestic violence and unauthorized use of 911 services. He is currently being held at Broward County Jail in Fort Launderdalle, Florida.

A bond amount was not listed on the Broward County Clerk of Courts website.

Richards is also an equipment manager for USA Hockey, where he served on the gold-medal winning U.S. men’s team at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. He also worked with the team at the 2026 IIFH World Championship and the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.

Jack Eichel of Team United States and Nathan MacKinnon of Team Canada face off in the first period during the Men’s Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy.

Jack Eichel of Team United States and Nathan MacKinnon of Team Canada face off in the first period during the Men’s Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy.

The Panthers released the following statement after acknowledging Richards’ arrest: “Effective immediately, he will be suspended from all team activities and facilities pending investigation.”

Richards has spent over a decade working in the NHL and has been with the Panthers since the 2016-17 season. He was the equipment manager for the team when they won consecutive Stanley Cup titles in 2024 and 2025. He also worked with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2015-16 season in the first of their back-to-back Stanley Cup championships.