Cardiff Devils’ legend Mark Richardson broke the Elite Ice Hockey League record for most appearances on the weekend.

The 39-year-old reached 1,178 games when he faced Fife Flyers on Sunday, surpassing the record he shared with Sheffield Steelers legend, Cardiff-born Jonathan Phillips, who was at the Vindico Arena to make the presentation.

Last year Richardson broke another Phillips record when he became the most capped player for Great Britain, reaching 117 games.

“If there’s anyone who’s going to do it, I’m most pleased that it is Richie,” Phillips said.

“He really is the ultimate professional. He’s an absolute one of a kind. The success Cardiff have had over the last 10 years or so, Richie has been a huge part of that. The way he presents himself, he plays hard, he plays tough, but in that respectful way.

“He’s the voice of reason. He’s someone who could pick up a group just with his presence. Being there to spread positivity without doing much, just his presence.

“You just can’t say enough good things about him.”

Richardson moved into top level hockey aged 18 in 2005, signing for the Devils where Phillips was in his last season before joining Sheffield.

Apart from a five-month stint in Kazakhstan in 2012 and spending the Covid cancelled 2020-21 UK season in Germany, Richardson has been with Cardiff throughout.

“Richie has been an incredible player for this club for nearly two decades,” Cardiff Devils managing director Todd Kelman said.

“He has played a vital role in every championship we have won and has been a great ambassador for us off the ice.

“We are lucky to have had him play nearly all of his EIHL games for the Devils and we expect to be celebrating more milestones before he decides to hang up his skates.

“He is the ultimate pro and the ultimate team-mate.”

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