Less than a week after cutting part of their past, the Philadelphia Flyers have signed two players who they believe are their future.
The Flyers signed forwards Jeff Carter and Mike Richards to contracts on Wednesday. Terms were not disclosed.
"It's huge news for us," Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock said. "They're important players for us and getting them done is a good feeling."
Carter, who was named to the all-star team at the world junior tournament, tallied 74 points in 55 games with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, scoring 34 goals.
"It's obviously a great feeling," Carter said. "It was a long time coming but it's all been worth it."
Richards, who was captain of the Canadian junior team that won a gold medal in January, recorded 58 points with 22 goals for the Kitchener Rangers last season.
"It's nice to get it out of the way," Richards said. "I think everything that happened with the CBA and stuff like that, it's just nice to be a Philadelphia Flyer."
Carter, from London, Ont., and Richards, from Kenora, Ont., indicated their willingness to be part of the Flyers' organization this spring by signing temporary contracts with the Flyers' farm team, the Philadelphia Phantoms, after their junior seasons ended. They helped the Phantoms win an AHL championship.
Carter was the AHL's leading scorer in the post-season with 12 goals and 11 assists in 21 games.
Carter was the 11th overall pick in the 2003 draft, while Richards was taken 24th in the same year.