NEW YORK -- Brad Richards is gathering some of his New York Rangers teammates on Friday in a charity effort to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy.
Richards has organized an on-ice clinic for kids at the Staten Island Skating Pavilion to help in the relief efforts. Richards, who signed with the Rangers in summer 2011 and led them to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference in 2011-12, has partnered with a high school team to organize "Skating for Sandy."
Defensemen Steve Eminger, Dan Girardi and Marc Staal will join forwards Carl Hagelin, Brian Boyle, Ryan Callahan, Marian Gaborik and Richards at the clinic.
Response from the Staten Island community has been good. The event will feature two afternoon sessions, one at 3:30 p.m. ET and another at 4:40 p.m. ET.
"We are going to keep this one," Richards said, "for just the kids."
The NHL lockout began Sept. 15, and already has forced the cancellation of 327 games, including the New Year's Day Winter Classic between the Maple Leafs and Red Wings at Michigan Stadium.
The league's other big regular-season event -- the Jan. 27 All-Star Game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus -- also is expected to be formally canceled soon.
Information from ESPNNewYork.com's Katie Strang and The Associated Press was used in this report.
