Phoenix Coyotes forward Mike Ricci is close to returning to the NHL.

Ricci, 35, was assigned Thursday to the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL for a conditioning stint as he continues his recovery from off-season neck surgery.

Mike Ricci is headed to the AHL for a conditioning stint this weekend. Mike Ricci is headed to the AHL for a conditioning stint this weekend.
(Francis Specker/Associated Press)

He'll play twice for the Rampage and, if all goes well, could rejoin the Coyotes next week.

The native of Scarborough, Ont., posted 10 goals and six assists for 16 points in 78 games with Phoenix last season.

Ricci has 243 goals and 604 points in 1,092 games over 15 NHL seasons for the Philadelphia Flyers, Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, San Jose Sharks and Coyotes.

He won a Stanley Cup with Colorado in 1996.

Ricci won CHL player of the year honours with the Peterborough Petes before being drafted fourth overall by Philadelphia in 1990.

He joined Phoenix as a free agent on July 9, 2004.