NHL VETERAN RICCI TO PLAY AGAINST AEROS FRIDAY

NHL veteran Mike Ricci is scheduled to play for San Antonio when the Rampage battle Houston on Friday at Toyota Center.

The 6-foot, 200-pound Ricci suffered a neck injury during the off-season. Ricci underwent surgery to repair the injury in June and has been rehabilitating with the Coyotes since training camp in September. Ricci was given medical clearance to practice with the team and take part in contact drills on November 9.

Last season, the 35-year-old native of Scarborough, Ontario played 78 games with the Coyotes, collecting 10-6-16 and 69 penalty minutes (PIM). In 15 NHL seasons with Philadelphia, Quebec/Colorado, San Jose and Phoenix, Ricci has recorded 243-361-604 and 970 PIM in 1,092 games.

Ricci was originally drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers (1st round, 4th overall) in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft. He signed with the Coyotes as a free agent on July 9, 2004.