Flyers Daily: Ex-Philly Center Put in His Teeth for Queen; Yeo Opens Up

Former Philadelphia Flyers center Mike Ricci got to meet royalty in 2002 when Queen Elizabeth II dropped the ceremonial first puck during an exhibition game.

Ricci was the San Jose Sharks’ captain that night, and he was in the faceoff circle against the Canucks’ Markus Naslund in Vancouver.

“I was told to wear new gloves in case the Queen wanted to shake hands. She didn’t,” Ricci, now 50, told NHL.com. “And I put in my teeth. There were some bets that I’d made a scene, but I did OK.”

Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-running monarch in British history, died Thursday at age 96.

“I scored two goals that night,” Ricci said, “so the Queen was good luck.”

Ricci was the Flyers’ first-round selection in the 1990 draft. He scored 21 and 20 goals, respectively, in his first two years with the Flyers, then was dealt to Quebec in 1992 as part of the bombshell Eric Lindros trade.

In 16 NHL seasons, Ricci finished with 243 career goals … and fond memories of the Queen.

Prince (now King) Charles visited Flin Flon, Manitoba, in 1970. The town asked Reggie Leach and Bobby Clarke to meet him. They were the stars of the Flin Flon Bombers junior hockey team. Photo: @NHLFlyers Alumni Assoc. pic.twitter.com/NQoxDF1Map

— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) September 11, 2022

NHL & National Hockey Now News

Philly Hockey Now: My weekly Broad Street Bullcast updates the Flyers news as training camp approaches. You can listen on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple. Philadelphia Flyers.

Philly Hockey Now: Owen Tippett, the big right winger the Flyers received in the Claude Giroux trade, is ready to make an impact. Philadelphia Flyers.

Vancouver Hockey Now: Mike Yeo was the Flyers’ interim coach for most of last season. Now a Vancouver assistant, he spoke of his experience and said there were “just too many nights we didn’t have a good enough lineup to win in the NHL.” Vancouver Canucks.

Washington Hockey Now: The Great 8, Alex Ovechkin, has arrived safely from Russia, and he was doubled over and trying to recapture his breath after an informal Caps practice. Washington Capitals.

Boston Hockey Now: The Bruins are in great shape with the goaltending tandem of Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark. Boston Bruins.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Which players will have the most to prove during the Penguins’ rookie camp? Pittsburgh Penguins.