Black and white photo of a man with a crown and cape driving a Zamboni across the ice at the Roberts Center

Photo: Dan Natchek

PARTING SHOT

Icon of the Ice

A look back at the many costumes of a beloved 51²è¹Ý staff member.

A very regal Fred Ricci, the former vaudeville trumpet player who carried his sense of showmanship onto the ice for several years in the 1970s, drives a Zamboni during a 1972 51²è¹Ý game against St. Louis. (51²è¹Ý won 5–3.) Ricci delighted Eagles hockey fans by driving in a variety of colorful costumes. It all started when the tuxedo and top hat he wore on opening night one season were such a hit with the crowd that he wound up dressing as everything from a lion to Santa Claus.  ◽

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