Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/17/20
From Press Release
With over 11 years of experience in the league, P.T. Ricci (Conestoga) is a Major League Lacrosse (MLL) veteran. After being selected 11th in the 2009 MLL Draft and spending time with three different teams since, Ricci will finally have the chance to play for his home state as he joins the Philadelphia Barrage for the 2020 season.
“I have the utmost gratitude for this league,” said Ricci as he gears for the Barrage’s MLL opener Saturday vs. the Chesapeake Bayhawks at 1 p.m. on ESPN+. “Over the past twelve years, it’s been a big part of my life and I’ve been able to make so many different connections and friendships, but I’ve also had great opportunities to learn about different people and their cultures, especially the Native American culture.
“I was never really exposed to that and to be able to play with the Thompsons and Zed Williams and a couple other guys over the years has been informative for me. I have so much appreciation for the opportunities.”
Across his impressive career, Ricci has won two MLL Championships, one with the Chesapeake Bayhawks in 2010 and was also part of the Boston Cannons’ first MLL trophy, in 2011. The defender has picked up 379 ground balls, scored 12 goals and recorded 10 assists since his inaugural season in 2009.
Aside from the Bayhawks and the Cannons, Ricci also spent time in Florida, playing for the Launch from 2014 through 2018. Two former Florida teammates, Liam Byrnes and Tim Barber, will be joining the Barrage this season as well.
“It will be fun to be back with Liam because I think he’s the best defender in MLL,” Ricci said. “I got to see him as a rookie in Florida and it’s been great to watch his progression and see him turn into the dominant player that he is. And Timmy, he’s a great player and a guy I’ve always clicked with off the field and got to know really well spending time in hotels and in the locker room in Florida.”
Other familiar faces for Ricci will be Philadelphia’s head coach Spencer Ford and assistant coaches Kevin Keenan (Springfield-Delco) and Brian Dougherty (Episcopal Academy grad, head coach at Springside Chesnut Hill Academy). All are MLL alums, and in the case of Ford, a former teammate. “I think it will be fun to play for Spencer, because my rookie year on the Bayhawks was his last year playing when he was on the Bayhawks, so it’s come full circle.” Ricci said, “He’s gone from teammate to head coach.”
As for Keenan and Dougherty, while Ricci never shared a locker room with either, all three are Pennsylvania natives.
“Being from Philly myself and having Kevin and Doc also being Philly guys is cool,” Ricci said. “I’ve always admired them from afar, but I’ve gotten to know Doc a bit over the past couple of years and he has such an infectious personality, so I’m excited to play for his enthusiasm. He and Kevin are all-time goalies, so I look forward to play for guys that have been so successful in the league.”
As Ricci looks for ways to guarantee success for the Barrage this season, he’s begun to take on a leadership role on an otherwise younger roster by offering advice to his teammates who’ve spent less time playing professionally.
“The biggest thing I’m hoping to let the younger guys on the roster know is that you cannot misstep in this league, especially in the format that we’re playing,” Ricci said. “There’s very small room for error and every team is really good, so you can’t go out and have a bad day or an off day, because you’re gonna pay for it.”
Aside from ensuring that every man is playing his best game each time Philadelphia takes the field, Ricci has stressed the importance of being a cohesive team.
“We all know that we aren’t practicing Monday through Friday together right now with the shortened season, so it’s going to be super important that we gel as a group off the field and get to know each other even before we arrive in Annapolis,” he stressed. “We’ve got to be on the same page and know each other, because when you know your teammates, you’re going to play harder for them, which makes it more fun.”
With Ricci and the rest of the Barrage’s first game back exactly one week away, his excitement to be back on the field is growing each day.
“Every year I start to feel this itch before the season comes and that lets me know that I still want to play and I’m happy to be playing,” Ricci said. “I just want to get in the locker room with the guys and be with them ready to compete.
“I don’t think there’s anything more pure or better out there than that. It’ll be a bit of a celebration for sure, but it’s gonna be competitive and tough, and that’s why we play.”
