NHLer Mike Richards's drug charges light up Twitterverse

Hockey fans took to Twitter Thursday after Manitoba RCMPannounced that they had formally charged Mike Richards with drug possession after Canadian border guards intercepted Richards withoxycodoneas he crossed the border into Canada from the United States.

• Mike Richards, NHL free agent, charged for oxycodone possession at border

Some pointed out that Richards wasn't the first NHL player, or evenKings player to be charged for drug possession in recent history.

King's forward JarretStoll was charged with felony cocaine possession in June for an incident that happened on April 17.

Stoll pleaded guilty to tworeducedmisdemeanorcharges, which caused his felony charge to be dismissed.

• Kings' Jarret Stoll charged with felony cocaine possession
• Jarrett Stoll, Kings forward, has felony cocaine charge dismissed

Ryan Malone, left wing for the Tampa Bay Lightning,was charged with cocaine possession and impaired driving in April.

• Ryan Malone charged with DUI, cocaine possession

Sometook the opportunity toreiterated their joy thatRichards was off the Kings' roster. He had experienced a decline in performance which prompted the Kings to send him back to the American Hockey League.

• Mike Richards clears waivers, lands with Manchester Monarchs

But there seemed to be more whowere sad to have seen the two-time Stanley Cup winner, Olympic and World Junior champion, in such a sticky situation.

Mike Richards is scheduled toappear in Emerson provincial court onSept. 10.

National Hockey League Players Associationspokesman Jonathan Weatherdon saidthe league and the NHLPA are working on a date for a grievance hearing forRichards. That date has not been set.