Ah, you beat me to it. Here's the whole story. I'm pretty happy with it. I'm not a Coyotes fan, although they're high on my neutral list. Now I've got three of my favorite players on the same team - Mike Ricci, Shane Doan, and Fredrik Sjostrom. I can deal with that. I think Phoenix has done a good job of quietly assembling a good team in the last year.
I knew San Jose wasn't going to re-sign him, and I expected him to get traded earlier as part of that mass exodus of vets, so I'm glad I got some extra time watching Ricci with the Sharks. He's staying in the West so I'll have more opportunity to see him play at the Saddledome if the season ever starts up.
Coyotes sign free agent Ricci
Canadian Press
7/9/2004
PHOENIX (CP) - The Phoenix Coyotes have signed free agent centre Mike Ricci to a two-year, $3.5 million US contract.
The deal also includes an option for a third year at $2 million. Ricci's salary will be $1.5 million in the first year of the contract and $2 million in the second.
His salary was $3 million last season.
Ricci, 32, played in 71 games with the San Jose Sharks last season, collecting seven goals, 19 assists and 40 penalty minutes.
The six-foot 200-pounder 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.
``He lays it on the line, every shift, every night,'' Coyotes GM Mike Barnett said in a statement Friday. ``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, a Toronto native, spent the last seven seasons with the Sharks.
During his 14-year NHL career, he also played for Colorado, Quebec and Philadelphia
In 1,014 career NHL games, Ricci has 233 goals, 355 assists and 906 penalty minutes.
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Admitted Kool-Aid addict and Pop Tarts stockholder
