Mike Ricci

Michael Ricci (born October 27, 1971) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Philadelphia Flyers, Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, San Jose Sharks and Phoenix Coyotes.

Ricci grew up in Scarborough, Ontario and attended St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic school and Dr. Norman Bethune Collegiate Institute. He played hockey in the former Metro Toronto Hockey League (now Greater Toronto Hockey League) and was a 2nd round pick of the OHL's Peterborough Petes in 1987 after a strong season with the Toronto Marlboros Bantams.

Ricci was also a talented soccer player growing up playing for the Scarborough Blues program with his cousin, Paul Peschisolido, who went on to a solid international career. Ricci's father Mario was a professional soccer player in Italy before emigrating to Canada.

Ricci was selected 4th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft. He had just completed three stellar seasons with the Peterborough Petes, and was dubbed a cannot-miss prospect. Ricci lasted only two years in Philadelphia, as in the summer of 1992 he was traded to the Quebec Nordiques in the Eric Lindros trade. He had a career year in his first season with the Nordiques, scoring 78 points. The next season, 1993–94, he scored a career-high 30 goals, with 5 of those coming in one game against the San Jose Sharks. In 1996, Ricci and the Colorado Avalanche won a Stanley Cup following the franchise's relocation from Quebec. On November 21, 1997, Ricci began a new endeavor with the Sharks.

Ricci quickly became an elite defensive centreman with San Jose, but never was able to regain the offensive prowess of his earlier years. Ricci was an essential cog to San Jose's success, and was there when the team made its first trip to the Western Conference Final in 2004. San Jose fans admired Ricci for his gritty style of play and were saddened when he was let go.

In 2005, Ricci switched his uniform number to 40 in honor of former National Football League (NFL) player Pat Tillman, who was killed in action while serving for the U.S. Army. The two had met in San Jose. Ricci played the 2005–06 season with the Phoenix Coyotes.

On August 13, 2007, he announced his retirement after telling The Peterborough Examiner that he had not recovered from neck surgery as well as he had hoped.

Ricci rejoined the Sharks organization in the 2007–08 season as an advisor, and was introduced at the Sharks' rescheduled Opening Night festivities on October 18, 2007.

Ricci had a bit-part as Elmer Lach in the 2005 Quebec film The Rocket, about the life of Maurice Richard. Out of several NHL players who appear in the film, Ricci and Sean Avery are the only ones with any dialogue.

• San Jose Sharks' franchise record for consecutive games played (228)

Regular season and playoffs

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1989	Canada	WJC	4th		7	5	2	7	6
1990	Canada	WJC	01 !		5	0	4	4	0
1994	Canada	WC	01 !		8	2	1	3	8
Junior totals					12	5	6	11	6
Senior totals					8	2	1	3	8