34 year-old veteran and free-agent forward Richard Park has signed a three year deal with Geneva-Servette of the Swiss National League A.The Seoul, South Korea native previously played in Switzerland with Langnau in 2004-05 during the NHL lockout season.
After being drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1994 (50th overall), Park has split his 13 NHL seasons between Anaheim, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Vancouver, and (for that last 4 years) the New York Islanders. In 684 games Park has tallied 95 goals and 227 points. In his last four years with the Islanders he has consistently tallied an average of 30 points per season.
Coach Chris McSorley says the 34-year-old winger chose Geneva-Servette over NHL and other European Leagues.
I find it hard to believe, and somewhat troubling, that no NHL team made Richard Park a viable offer to play for them this year. Park plays with a ton of energy and is a dream to have on your checking line. Park possesses raw speed, he will hit, forecheck, backcheck, make clean passes and (though not oft a goal scorer) comes up with timely goals.
Park will find himself high up in the ranks of the Geneva-Servette club as his services being effective in the NHL will surely translate into a great career in Switzerland. The club he signs with lost to Bern in the Swiss playoff finals last season in game seven.
- Kendall Grubbs
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