Mike Ricci - Hanging Up The Skates!

Mike Ricci - The man Lindley named his cat after has called it quits. I remember watching Ricci play in San Jose and how he made the game look easy. The 16-year NHL veteran announced his retirement during the Peterborough Professional Hockey Alumni charity golf tournament at the Kawartha Golf and Country Club. Ricci underwent neck surgery last year and told the Peterborough Examiner that he has not recovered like he had hoped. He missed all but seven games last season due to his injured neck. In 1099 NHL games with the Coyotes, Sharks, Avalanche, Nordiques and Flyers, Ricci's record is 243 goals, 362 assists and 974 penalty minutes.

Mike's toothless smile and energetic personality will be missed. Whenever I saw Mike he was always either smiling or laughing. On the ice Mike is known for being a premier face-off man, very responsible in the defensive zone and one of the best back-checking forwards in the NHL.

Mike's name is on the Stanley Cup for the 95-96 Colorado Avalanche.

Here is Lindley with Ricci - (The Cat)