As NHL lockout rolls on, Richards, Rangers set to skate in benefit for Staten Island

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Just because there are no NHL games on the schedule for the foreseeable future, doesn't mean the New York Rangers aren't getting on the ice.

On Friday, many of them will head to Staten Island, in fact, for a charity skate.

Centre Brad Richards has organized a benefit skate to help in the relief efforts on Staten Island after Superstorm Sandy. Richards, who signed with the Rangers last off-season, and led them to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference last post-season, has partnered with a high school team to organize "Skating for Sandy."

Defencemen Steve Eminger, Dan Girardi and Marc Staal will join forwards Carl Hagelin, Brian Boyle, Ryan Callahan, Marian Gaborik and Richards at the Staten Island Skating Pavilion.

Response from the Staten Island community has been good. The event will, in fact, feature two afternoon sessions, one at 3:30 and one at 4:40 p.m.

"We are going to keep this one," Richards said, "for just the kids."

The NHL lockout began on Sept. 15, and has already forced the cancellation of 327 games, including the Winter Classic between the Maple Leafs and Red Wings at Michigan Stadium. The league's other big midseason event—the Jan. 27 all-star game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus—is also expected to be formally cancelled in the near future.