Mike was married to his wife, Beth, on July 4, 1998. He is a huge San Francisco 49ers fan. His cousin has played professional soccer in England's First Division for the last several years. Ironically, Mike holds the Sharks record for most goals in a game by an opponent, scoring five goals with the Quebec Nordiques against San Jose on Feb. 17, 1994. He served as captain of both his junior team (the OHL's Peterborough Petes) and Canada's 1990 World Junior Championship squad which captured the gold medal. Philadelphia originally drafted Mike in the first round (4th overall) in 1990, three spots behind friend and current teammate Owen Nolan, who was drafted first overall by Quebec. He was named the 1990 Canadian Major Junior Player of the Year. A huge golf nut, he lists Colorado's Bear Creek as the toughest course he has ever played but also enjoys the Bay Area courses. His favorite TV show is "Sanford and Son" while it's a toss up between "Rocky" and "Forrest Gump" for his favorite movie.

Mike Ricci joined the Sharks last season in exchange for Shean Donovan, a move that the Avalanche have painfully regretted. Mike is a gritty forward who never backs down from opponents, while at the same time having a great sense of humor in the locker room with his teammates.