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Calgary
Flames Player Profile
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Rico Fata #15
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2000-2001
Consistency Charts
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Position: Right Wing
Height: 5-11 Weight:
205
Shoots: Left
Last Team: Saint John
League: AHL
Birthdate: February 12, 1980
Home: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario |
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Rico Fata |
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Regular
Season |
Playoffs |
| Year |
Team |
GP |
G |
A |
PTS |
+/-Â |
PIM |
GP |
G |
A |
PTS |
PIM |
| 97-98 |
London |
64 |
43 |
33 |
76 |
-- |
110 |
16 |
9 |
5 |
14 |
49 |
| 98-99 |
Calgary |
20 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
| 98-99 |
London |
23 |
15 |
18 |
33 |
-- |
41 |
25 |
10 |
12 |
22 |
42 |
| 99-00 |
Calgary |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
-1 |
0 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
| 99-00 |
St John |
76 |
29 |
29 |
58 |
-11 |
65 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
| 00-01 |
St John |
70 |
23 |
29 |
52 |
+10 |
129 |
19 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
22 |
| 00-01 |
Calgary |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
-3 |
0 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
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MISCELLANEOUS
Fata was able to play in the American Hockey League a year earlier than expected because of a seldom used Ontario Hockey League rule enabling players that have played 4 seasons of in the league the ability to turn pro. Fata entered the OHL as a 15 year old, and was projected as the first overall pick in the 1998 NHL Entry draft. The 2000-2001 season should have been his first as a professional, but instead Fata has over 140 AHL regular season games under his belt.
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SCOUTING REPORT
One of the best skaters in all of pro hockey, Rico's top end speed is almost second to none… criticized for a lack of hockey sense, Fata put some doubts to rest last season jumping to pro hockey as an underage player, and not missing a step. Fata has better than average hands, and the foot speed to put up NHL numbers.
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PROJECTION
Rico Fata has a higher upside than most prospects because of his blazing foot speed. At the same time however, he also has a lower downside because of his perceived lack of hockey sense. Rightly or wrongly, Fata will have to prove his sceptics wrong on the ice to put those critics to rest. With a centerman able to take advantage of his speed, Fata could be a big league, first line scoring winger. If he continues to work on his defensive game he could evolve into a player similar to Edmonton's Todd Marchant.
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NOTES
2001 Highlights: Rico Fata's career took a new direction during the 2001 season, under AHL coach Jim Playfair. Fata was asked to play a more defensive style, utilizing his speed to get on the opposition's defence and force turn overs.
2000 Highlights: Took a positive career step in the 1999-00 season by excelling as an underage winger for the Flames farm club in Saint John. Fata led the team in scoring, was named to the all rookie team, and was the Canadian Player of the Game in the AHL all-star game. Fata played most of the season with fellow top prospect Daniel Tkaczuk as his center, the two also starred on a line for Canada at the World Junior tournament in Winnipeg in 1999.
Background: Taken sixth overall in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. Fata made the Calgary Flames out of training camp in each of the past two seasons. In 1998-99 he flew with the team to Japan to open the season, signing a contract and avoiding an emmediate return to juniors by only hours. He played 20 games that season before returning to London after the World Junior tournament..
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