Ice Hockey
Angelo Ricci
- Title:
- Director of Skill Development
- Email:
- angelo.ricci@du.edu
Angelo Ricci is in his first season as the Skill Development Coach for the University of Denver hockey team in 2026-27 after being hired to this position on Sept. 1, 2026.
In this role, Ricci works closely with Denver’s coaching staff and student-athletes with an emphasis on individual skill development and helping players continue to refine their games throughout their careers at DU.
The Elgin, Illinois, native returned to his alma mater after most recently spending 10 seasons in the National Hockey League in player development and as a skills coach with the Buffalo Sabres (2014-2018) and Philadelphia Flyers (2019-2025).
Ricci played four seasons at Denver from 1991-1995 under head coaches Frank Serratore and George Gwozdecky. He compiled 161 points with 64 goals and 97 assists in 144 career games and currently ranks tied for 13th all-time in school history in scoring. He earned All-Academic and All-Conference honorable recognition as a player and helped the Pioneers qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in nine years and lead the team to the quarterfinals during his senior year in 1994-95.
Upon earning his bachelor’s degree in marketing from DU in 1995, Ricci went on to play two years of professional hockey from 1995-1997 with the Toledo Storm (ECHL), Louisville Riverfrogs (ECHL), Amarillo Rattlers (WPHL) and Val Gardena of the Italian Elite League.
Following his pro career, Ricci returned to Colorado to pursue coaching and development, beginning by founding the Ricci Hockey Consulting. He was with the Colorado Thunderbirds organization since its inception in 2002 and served as the executive director beginning in 2009 for the one of the premier USA Hockey tier-I program in the nation that consistently developed future DU players, NCAA student-athletes and NHLers.
As a skills and stickhandling specialist consultant, Ricci has worked with former Pioneers Troy Terry, Scott Mayfield, Logan O’Connor and Dylan Gambrel, as well as current NHLers Seth Jones, Brandon Carlo and Devon Toews. He has also instructed at high-profile NHL player camps, including those with Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Jack Eichel and Jake Guentzel.
Ricci played his junior hockey with the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League from 1989-1991 and is the franchise’s all-time leading scorer with 176 points (72g/104a) in 89 games while also contributing 38 points (15g/23a) in 19 postseason contests. He helped the Lancers win the Clark Cup Championship both seasons and is inducted into both the Omaha Hockey and Omaha Lancers Hall of Fame.
During Denver’s run to its 11th national championship in 2025-26, Ricci volunteered his time and provided guidance to the coaching staff for select home and road games, including at the Frozen Four in Las Vegas. He was recognized after the season with the team’s Daniel Ritchie Spirit Award, which honors an alumnus or friend of Denver hockey who embodies DU Emeritus Chancellor Daniel Ritchie's spirit of giving back to the school—not only financially, but with time and effort.
Ricci resides in Denver with his family.
In this role, Ricci works closely with Denver’s coaching staff and student-athletes with an emphasis on individual skill development and helping players continue to refine their games throughout their careers at DU.
The Elgin, Illinois, native returned to his alma mater after most recently spending 10 seasons in the National Hockey League in player development and as a skills coach with the Buffalo Sabres (2014-2018) and Philadelphia Flyers (2019-2025).
Ricci played four seasons at Denver from 1991-1995 under head coaches Frank Serratore and George Gwozdecky. He compiled 161 points with 64 goals and 97 assists in 144 career games and currently ranks tied for 13th all-time in school history in scoring. He earned All-Academic and All-Conference honorable recognition as a player and helped the Pioneers qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in nine years and lead the team to the quarterfinals during his senior year in 1994-95.
Upon earning his bachelor’s degree in marketing from DU in 1995, Ricci went on to play two years of professional hockey from 1995-1997 with the Toledo Storm (ECHL), Louisville Riverfrogs (ECHL), Amarillo Rattlers (WPHL) and Val Gardena of the Italian Elite League.
Following his pro career, Ricci returned to Colorado to pursue coaching and development, beginning by founding the Ricci Hockey Consulting. He was with the Colorado Thunderbirds organization since its inception in 2002 and served as the executive director beginning in 2009 for the one of the premier USA Hockey tier-I program in the nation that consistently developed future DU players, NCAA student-athletes and NHLers.
As a skills and stickhandling specialist consultant, Ricci has worked with former Pioneers Troy Terry, Scott Mayfield, Logan O’Connor and Dylan Gambrel, as well as current NHLers Seth Jones, Brandon Carlo and Devon Toews. He has also instructed at high-profile NHL player camps, including those with Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Jack Eichel and Jake Guentzel.
Ricci played his junior hockey with the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League from 1989-1991 and is the franchise’s all-time leading scorer with 176 points (72g/104a) in 89 games while also contributing 38 points (15g/23a) in 19 postseason contests. He helped the Lancers win the Clark Cup Championship both seasons and is inducted into both the Omaha Hockey and Omaha Lancers Hall of Fame.
During Denver’s run to its 11th national championship in 2025-26, Ricci volunteered his time and provided guidance to the coaching staff for select home and road games, including at the Frozen Four in Las Vegas. He was recognized after the season with the team’s Daniel Ritchie Spirit Award, which honors an alumnus or friend of Denver hockey who embodies DU Emeritus Chancellor Daniel Ritchie's spirit of giving back to the school—not only financially, but with time and effort.
Ricci resides in Denver with his family.
Tuesday, June 30
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