FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, July 9, 2004
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA -- Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Michael Barnett announced today that the Coyotes have signed free agent center Mike Ricci to a multi-year contract. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The 6-foot, 200-pound Ricci played in 71 games with the San Jose Sharks last season, collecting 7-19-26 and 40 penalty minutes (PIM). He served as both captain and assistant captain for the Sharks last season, and played in his 1,000th NHL game on Feb. 11, 2004 at Detroit. Ricci helped lead the Sharks to the Western Conference Finals last season, recording 2-3-5 in 17 playoff games. Ricci was also the Sharks’ nominee for the King Clancy Award (awarded “to the player in the league that best exemplifies leadership qualities both on-and off-the-ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community”).
“There are many superlatives that you can use to describe Mike Ricci, but the most widely held is that of competitor,” said Barnett. “He lays it on the line, every shift, every night. He has led some great teams, always by example, and I am sure that same leadership and tenacity will be hugely welcomed in our room. On and off the ice Mike has been a winner throughout his entire career. This signing, along with those of Sean O'Donnell, Boyd Devereaux, and Jason Chimera over the past two weeks will evidence to our returning players and our fans that the bar of expectation has been raised considerably.”
Ricci, 32, has played with San Jose, Colorado, Quebec and Philadelphia during his 14-year NHL career, including the last seven seasons with the Sharks. In 1,014 career NHL games, Ricci has collected 233-355-588 and 906 PIM. He has also played in 110 playoff games, recording 23-43-66 and 77 PIM. While with Colorado in 1995-96, Ricci served as an assistant captain on their Stanley Cup championship team. He played an important role in the Avalanche’s run for the Stanley Cup, setting career playoff highs with 6-11-17 and 18 PIM in 22 games in ‘96.
“I am very excited to be joining the Phoenix Coyotes,” said Ricci. “I would like to thank Mike Barnett, Wayne Gretzky and Cliff Fletcher for showing confidence in me and going out and signing me. The Coyotes have a great nucleus of young, talented players and I look forward to playing in Phoenix.”
The Scarborough, Ontario native has recorded 40-or-more points 7 times in a season and 50-or-more points 3 times. He has also scored 20-or-more goals in 6 different seasons. In 1992-93, Ricci set career highs in assists (51), points (78) and PIM (123) in 77 games with Quebec. The following season, Ricci scored a career-high 30 goals in 83 games with Quebec in 1993-94. More recently, he had a big offensive season in 2001-02 when he collected 19-34-53 in 79 games with San Jose.
Ricci is also well known for his defensive play, having once been a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy (awarded to the NHL’s top defensive forward) in 1999-2000 and, in two consecutive seasons (2000-01 and 2001-02), he finished 4th in the voting for the award. In 2000-01, Ricci also led the Sharks in faceoffs taken with 1,614 and ranked tied for 1st among team forwards with 46 blocked shots.
He leaves the Sharks organization ranked among the club’s all-time leaders in games played, goals, assists, points and shorthanded goals. In addition, Ricci ranks among the Sharks all-time playoff leaders in games played (2nd), goals (3rd), assists (3rd) and points (2nd). He was named as a Sharks assistant captain in only his second season (1998-99) with San Jose and served in that capacity for six seasons.
Ricci was originally drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1st round (4th overall) of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to being drafted, he had an amazing junior career, playing three seasons (1987-1990) with the Peterborough Petes (OHL). As Peterborough’s captain, Ricci collected 130-153-283 and 102 PIM in 161 games and also played in 37 playoff games, registering 29-28-57 and 48 PIM. In 1989-90, he was named the Canadian Major Junior Player of the Year after scoring 52-64-116 in only 60 games. He was also named the OHL’s MVP and was selected to the OHL’s First All-Star Team.
Ricci has represented Team Canada twice at the World Junior Championships (1989 and 1990) and in 1990 he captained Canada’s gold-medal winning team. In addition, Ricci helped lead Team Canada to a gold-medal victory at the 1994 World Championships.
