Shot Left Height 1.83 m Position Forward, Winger Shoots Left-handed | Name Rico Fata Career start 1999 Playing career Weight 93 kg | |
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Liiga teamFormer teams HIFKCalgary FlamesNew York RangersPittsburgh PenguinsAtlanta ThrashersWashington CapitalsAdler MannheimEHC BielGeneve-Servette HC NHL Draft 6th overall, 1998Calgary Flames | ||
2001 calder cup finals rico fata goal game 1
Rico Fata (born February 12, 1980) is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player. He played for the Calgary Flames, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Atlanta Thrashers and Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL).
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Rico fata tribute
Playing career
Fata's career started as a 15-year-old, when he played for his hometown Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL. In the 1996 OHL Entry Draft, Fata was selected first overall by the last place London Knights. In his 3 seasons in London, the team became a top team in the OHL, reaching the Finals in 1999, but losing in 7 games to the Belleville Bulls. Fata's brother Drew currently plays for the Sheffield Steelers of the Elite Ice Hockey League in the United Kingdom.
Rico Fata was drafted in the first round, 6th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. Despite his high draft position, he was not able to maintain a spot in the Flames lineup. He won the AHL Calder Cup with the Saint John Flames in 2001. He was placed on waivers by the Flames and was claimed by the New York Rangers. He spent one and a half seasons with the Rangers before going to the Pittsburgh Penguins in an 8–player deal. On January 31, 2006, the Atlanta Thrashers claimed him off waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguins. On March 9, 2006, the Washington Capitals claimed him off waivers from the Atlanta Thrashers. He played 10 games at the start of the 2006–07 NHL season with Washington before being waived through the league.
On November 8, 2006 Fata signed a contract with the Mannheim Eagles of the German Elite League. On September 8, 2008 he signed a contract with the EHC Biel. On August 1, 2011 he signed a one-year contract with the Genève-Servette HC of the Swiss National League A, with an option for one more year.
On June 17, 2013, after five seasons in the NLA, Fata left to sign a one-year contract with Finnish club, HIFK of the SM-liiga.
Rico has now retired from the game of hockey, he stays involved in hockey with his FAST BY FATA HOCKEY SCHOOL. Rico currently owns a Tim Hortons restaurant in Sault Ste. Marie Ontario. He also works for www.sporttesting.com.