Flyers' Richards has Olympic-sized goals with Team Canada

The way Richards plays the game, it wouldn't surprise anyone if he initiated some rough stuff in practice, even at a Team Canada Olympic orientation camp designed to coach strategy rather than make an impression on the team's selection staff.

Seemingly much bigger on the ice than his 5-11, 195-pound stature suggests, the 24-year-old from Kenora, Ontario, already has been noticed.

Thanks to steady improvements in every aspect of his game over four NHL seasons, Richards has a legitimate shot at lining up at center for the 2010 Vancouver Games in February.

Expecting a bit of a youth movement on Steve Yzerman's final squad to be named in December, many hockey pundits envision Richards in one of the four spots down the middle along with Sidney Crosby, Vincent Lecavalier and Ryan Getzlaf.

"It'd be awesome," Richards said. "It's something you work for. It's something that over the summertime you think about quite a bit. Even over the last year, thinking about it quite a bit.

"It'd mean the world to me."

Skating between Ottawa Senators sniper Dany Heatley and gritty Dallas Stars captain Brenden Morrow for the first 2 days of camp, Richards showed off his setup skills in drills with Team White.

He did the same with Jonathan Toews and Jarome Iginla by his side yesterday.

But with so many incredible players to choose from, it's possible Richards could be moved to the wing just as Eric Staal, Patrick Marleau, Flyers teammate Jeff Carter, Patrick Sharp, Andy McDonald and Toews have been this week.

Richards is more than willing if they choose to give him a look on the flanks.

"There's a lot of skill. A lot of people are going to have to play different positions," he said. "I'll do whatever I can to make the team. Just try to show what you can do and what kind of situations you can be put in and help out the team."

Chris Pronger, Simon Gagne and Carter also were invited to the Canadian camp. Gagne left after the first day with tightness in his groin, while Pronger and Carter are toiling for Team Red.

It might be a longshot all four will make the final team, but it's a possibility.

"If your teammates and friends make the team, it'd be awesome," Richards said, raising an eyebrow.

In the meantime, he's learning as much as he can from the guys who have been in his position before.

Complimented by a reporter about his game being nearly perfect for a two-way role on Team Canada, Richards let out a little laugh.

"You're never going to be a perfect player," he said. "When you get on the ice with some of the best players, and in the dressing room, you're always learning the game."

The biggest question - one that likely won't be answered until the NHL season has progressed well into December - is whether Richards' shoulders hold up.

He had surgery on both in May. Returning to Lake of the Woods in Northern Ontario at the end of last month, he continued to rehab with Flyers staff.

"It actually wasn't bad," Richards said. "Golf was a little bit slow, but fishing wasn't bad at all."

Cleared for contact by the team in July, Richards started skating a couple of weeks ago. Judging from the way he has been moving in high-tempo practices, the legs are fine.

He doesn't have much concern about his upper body, either, despite playing with discomfort last season.

"To tell you the truth, there wasn't a whole lot of pain. It was more just achy," Richards said. "Some days there'd be pain, some games, but it wasn't a throbbing pain.

"I haven't had any contact hockeywise yet, but I'm doing a lot in the gym, so hopefully it holds up." *