Awards show ‘awesome’ in Vegas

Philadelphia Flyers captain Mike Richards said he still gets chills when he sees someone hoist the Stanley Cup.

"It's something you've wanted to do since you were 5 or 6 years old," said Richards, 24. "On outdoor rinks, you do it all the time, faking it."

One of the NHL's rising young stars, Richards was in Las Vegas this week to help promote the NHL Awards show, scheduled for June 18 at the Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms.

The show, which will be broadcast live on Versus in the United States and on CBC in Canada, will be in Las Vegas for the first time after taking place in Toronto last year.

"I think it's going to be awesome," said Richards, who plans to fly in his parents and two brothers for the family's first "Vegas vacation" the week of the show. "Everyone loves coming to Vegas.

"It's definitely a place that can put on a great show, and with the NHL growing as a sport, it will be awesome for the league to get that exposure in Las Vegas. The players are excited, and I'm excited to be a part of it, too."

Richards, who underwent two shoulder surgeries this month, has been nominated for the Selke Trophy, which is awarded to the league's outstanding defensive forward.

"I've never won a league award before, so it's nice to be nominated," he said. "It's not the trophy you want at the end of the year, but it's still nice to be recognized for how hard you work during the season."

More than a dozen awards will be presented at the show, including the Hart Trophy (most valuable player), Vezina Trophy (most outstanding goaltender) and Norris Trophy (outstanding defenseman).

Unlike in years past, all award nominees are expected to attend the event, including Alex Ovechkin and Mike Green (Washington Capitals), Pavel Datsyuk and Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit Red Wings), Zdeno Chara and Tim Thomas (Boston Bruins), Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins) and Kris Versteeg (Chicago Blackhawks).

A plethora of former NHL stars also are expected to take part in the show, including Tony Esposito, Sergei Fedorov, Ron Francis, Doug Gilmour, Pat LaFontaine, Brian Leetch, Mark Messier, Stan Mikita, Andy Moog, Joe Nieuwendyk and Luc Robataille, along with veteran San Jose Sharks center Jeremy Roenick.

The event will feature performances by singers Robin Thicke and Chaka Khan, and Canadian buzz band Arkells will perform a set at the post-NHL Awards party at the Palms Pool and Rain Nightclub.

Celebrities slated to attend the show include rapper Snoop Dogg, crooner Michael Buble and actress Lauren Holly.

Players, coaches and special guests are scheduled to arrive on the red carpet in front of the Palms starting at 3:15 p.m., with the broadcast slated to start at 4:30.

"I'm sure my mom and dad will love that," Richards said.

Tickets still are available and can be purchased for $500 apiece. They include access to the show and after-party, where fans can mingle with players and celebrities alike.

A charity poker tournament featuring players and celebrities will take place at the Rio the week of the show, and the NHL Players Association will have its annual meeting in Las Vegas that week.

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.