Youth hockey coach pleads not guilty to raping player

BOSTON -- A former youth hockey coach charged with sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy has pleaded not guilty and was released on $500 bail.

Robert Richardson of Boston's Dorchester neighborhood was arraigned Thursday on three counts of child rape.

Prosecutors say the 61-year-old Richardson, who also used to be an NHL scout and college assistant coach, befriended the boy and helped him land a spot on a local youth hockey team in the 1990s when the abuse allegedly began. Authorities say Richardson invited the boy to spend several nights a week at his condo.

Prosecutors say the youngster first went to investigators last year.

Richardson's lawyer says his client looks forward to defending himself in court.