Six years after retiring, in 1989, he was arrested for attempting to smuggle cocaine and then in 2002, Richard died in a car accident driving back from a party celebrating his 50th birthday.

[6] Richard had a spectacular junior career with the Quebec Remparts, scoring 186 goals and 213 assists for 399 points in only 169 games.

[7] At the time Richard was considered by some hockey experts to have equal, if not more, pro potential than teammate Guy Lafleur.

[4][8] At one time, Rempart management was negotiating to trade Richard to the Rosemont Nationals, a team in the same Quebec Junior A league for 3 players and $6,000 in return.

Although team management said the two were not connected, Richard was then sent to Buffalo's minor league affiliate, the Hershey Bears.

[14] Buffalo Sabre general manager Punch Imlach in his book Heaven and Hell in the NHL recalled his travails dealing with Richard's drinking.

On one occasion, Richard was forced to miss a game due to a sprained wrist which had been hurt in a bar fight.

[15] Imlach describes Richard as "a nice kid, good hockey player" but he was "wasting his talent".

[3] He would be remembered in hockey's history as a superb junior player who ultimately finished as one of the NHL's "One-Season-Wonders.

[18] Then, on October 8, 2002, driving home from his 50th birthday party, Richard was killed in a single-vehicle accident when he drove his car into a culvert.