RJ Gicewicz is from Orchard Park, New York, 20 minutes south of Buffalo, New York. He attended Nichols School in Buffalo, where he played Prep A varsity hockey for 3 years, beginning his freshmen year. He also played football and baseball while attending Nichols. During the summers going into his sophomore and junior seasons, he was selected to represent the United States at both the 5 Nations Tournament and Ivan Hlinka Tournament, respectively. Gicewicz was selected as an assistant captain his junior year at Nichols, and was awarded all-tournament team selections at both the Northwood Prep and St. Francis Prep Tournaments. He was drafted in the third round to the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL Entry Draft the summer leading into his junior year at Nichols and left to play for the Gamblers for his senior season. 

Gicewicz spent a total of 2 years with the Gamblers, before heading to St. Lawrence University on a full athletic scholarship in the fall of 2015. Although recruited as an athlete, Gicewicz was forced to retire his junior season due to chronic neck injuries and repetitive head injuries. He spent 2 years as a student assistant coach, helping with team statistics, video scouting, off ice training, mental training, on-ice skills, and most importantly as a liaison between the coaching staff and players. He was also awarded the Terry Slater Perseverance Award two times, which is ‘presented to the Saint player who, when faced with a significant personal challenge, performed with distinction and conducted himself with grace, thereby bringing credit to himself and the team.’ At graduation in the spring of 2019, Gicewicz was selected to speak on behalf of all student-athletes based on his 4-year experience at St. Lawrence University. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Business.