WASHINGTON - Mike Richards' lawyer says the Washington Capitals centre will not appear in Manitoba Court on Thursday, as his trial on the charge of possession of a controlled substance has been adjourned to Feb. 25.

Toronto-based lawyer David M. Humphrey said in an email to The Associated Press that government officials asked to push back Richards' court date because it is awaiting the results of an investigation that was requested by the defence.

Richards was arrested when Canada Border Services Agency at the North Dakota-Canadian border caught him with a controlled substance crossing into Emerson, Manitoba, on June 17. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police charged Richards in August.

The 30-year-old from Kenora, Ontario, signed a $1 million, one-year deal with the Capitals in early January to resume his NHL career.