Thaddeus Teddy Richards, the longtime equipment manager for the Florida Panthers, was taken into custody on July 17 in Coral Springs, Florida, after a domestic disturbance escalated into a police call.
He faces a misdemeanor battery charge related to domestic violence and a count of unauthorized use of 911 services, according to the Broward County Sheriff's Office.
Richards, who has served the Panthers since the 2016‑17 season and was part of back‑to‑back Stanley Cup‑winning staffs in 2024 and 2025, is also a senior equipment manager for USA Hockey, where he contributed to the gold‑medal winning U.S. men’s team at the 2026 Milano‑Cortina Winter Olympics.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
Richards is currently being held at the Broward County Jail in Fort Lauderdale, where he awaits a bail hearing scheduled for later this week.
The incident has sparked a conversation among league officials about the pressures faced by behind‑the‑scenes personnel and the need for robust support systems.
While the Panthers have declined to comment further, sources indicate that the organization is cooperating fully with law enforcement and will review any additional evidence before making a final determination.