Player Bios
Name: Ricciardi, Dominic
Position: Defense
Shoots: Right
Number: 63
Height: 6’2
Weight: 220
Age: 38
Pronounced: RICH char DEE
Experience: 10 years street; 4 years roller; 10 years ice
Drafted: Year: 1996; Round 2; Pick: 1 Ice Dragons; Free agent signing with Hoboken Rockets 2002
FANTASY
Percent Owned (Week +/-):
NHL: 5.0% (0.0%)
Avg. Draft Position:
NHL: 131.7
History
Dominic Ricciardi originally started as a goalie in the now defunct “Godfrey Place League” back in the early 80’s. After many years of patrolling the net on the unforgiving pavement, Ricciardi moved on to greener pastures and soon joined the Busdrivers roller hockey team located in the Rink in Montvale NJ. Changing positions, Ricciardi became a low scoring defenseman known for his ability to (illegally) crosscheck opposing forwards clear across the rink and into the boards. Ricciardi’s poor skating ability, along with his rougher then normal style of play usually resulted in high PIM numbers year in and year out (which didn’t faze Ricciardi at all). The Busdrivers, who would eventually relocate to McKay Park located in Englewood NJ, went on and made the cup finals their first year in the league, but lost to archrivals Boltex! The following year the Drivers were bought by a small logging firm located out of Saskatchewan Canada, and eventually renamed the Giants. With Ricciardi named assistant captain, the Giants played two more seasons before filing for bankruptcy.
For a while, Ricciardi and defensive partner Chris Poggi would play for Bridge Technologies in the Chelsea Pier’s league. Contract disputes, along with high fees associated with crossing the GWB and parking put an end to this union after about two years together. Ricciardi was once again a man without a team.
In 2000, Ricciardi’s career was resurrected by the newly formed Ice Dragons playing in the Ice House in Hackensack NJ. Once again Ricciardi took the reins on defense leading the Dragons to the playoffs. With all-star players such as Chris Poggi, Brian Hoppe, and Jim Suozzo, the ID eventually went on to win the cup their first year in the league. Named the Captain the following year (mostly due to the fact the previous captain quit and Ricciardi was the one collecting the league fees) the Ice Dragons played several seasons but never reached the final round of the playoffs again. In 2003, the Ice Dragons would be no more.
Ricciardi was left to wonder why so many of his teams had disbanded. Filled with doubt, and sadness, Ricciardi was ready to retire. Minutes before the press conference announcing his retirement, Ricciardi’s agent received a call from longtime partner Chris Poggi. Poggi had just signed with the Hoboken Rockets and managed to secure a spot on the team for Ricciardi as well. With renewed spirits, Ricciardi joined the club. After a rough regular season, the Rockets came alive in the playoffs winning the cup for division 7. Currently, you can see number 63 patrolling the blueline for the Rockets captained by Roger Muller. Ricciardi says he gets the most enjoyment from his new club watching Muller work goalie Kelly Delia into a mind blowing frenzy during games.
Fun Facts
Ricciardi has battled teammate Jim Suozzo on several occasions for team PIM leader…Ricciardi switched numbers from 3 to 63 after the retirement of longtime idol Ken Daneyko…Ricciardi has managed to unintentionally meet several NHL players in various locations in North Jersey (Martin Brodeur, Jason Arnott, and Peter Sykora in a movie theater in Ridgefield Park, Doug Gilmour walking in a mall in Paramus, John LeClair in a mall in South Jersey, and Scott Stevens in a Starbucks in Roseland NJ)…