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D Joe Hicketts - Victoria Royals, WHL (2014 undrafted; 2014 signed, DET)

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Favourite prospect from the WHL. If he was even 5'11" he'd be discussed in the top 15.

The fresh measures at Hlinka camp will only hurt his draft stock.
 
arsmaster said:
Favourite prospect from the WHL. If he was even 5'11" he'd be discussed in the top 15. The fresh measures at Hlinka camp will only hurt his draft stock.
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Agreed completely... He is just so small unfortunately. Has very short parents too and most likely wont grow much more at all.

Good news for Royals fans though is that you guys will have a solid 5 year player that will possibly wear the "C" when hes 18,19,20 years old. He will get Allstar nominations, and other team awards. A very solid leader on your team for his whole junior career.
 
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I wish I got to see him more often than I do. I like his game, I just hope he grows to be at least 5'10.
 
The thing I think people underestimate about Joe is that his upper body strength, he's built like at truck for someone his size. He has all the tools but size keeps him out of first round talk. You put him against the best players in the game and he does all he can to shut them down, he's physical and his skating ability and ability to move the puck are excellent. Poise is off the charts, a leader too which is huge. Can log minutes and played with the best defenseman eligible for this year's draft and didn't look out of place in the slightest. It really sucks that he's 5'8", but I am so excited to see what he brings to the club next year, it's hard to believe that he'll be better then he already was for was.
 
I know it's a lot to do with size. But I can see him panning out a bit like Ryan Ellis. They both have good poise an compete levels. Literal height is in their way. Both are built solid and unfortunately lack reach and stride. Hicketts seems to be more explosive where as Ellis is gifted with a heavy shot and extremely high hockey IQ.

I'm looking forward to watching Hicketts develop. As I said before, Finally Victoria has a player to watch night in and night out.
 
I should see him around 20 times this season, I'm really unfamiliar with the WHL. What are a group of prospects to watch for the upcoming season, mainly in Victoria's division.
 
Where would you guys rank him in terms of WHL D, now, and if he has a season you are expecting?

I ask mainly cause this year isn't as strong for WHL defensemen as the past couple years, and I was wondering if he'd be a riser.
 
Jason MacIsaac said:
I should see him around 20 times this season, I'm really unfamiliar with the WHL. What are a group of prospects to watch for the upcoming season, mainly in Victoria's division.
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I guess i'll be seeing you and Xavier a lot :sarcasm:

But Soy, Reddekopp will be the main guys that will stick with the team this year. Nagy and Campese will hopefully have stints and/or make the team.

All the 19 year olds are expected to shine due to the next season. Six of them will be fighting for three spots. (Magee, Hodges, Carroll, Cote, Polivka, Lofthouse)

In terms of older players. I expect Hodges and Nelson to have big years as well as Magee and Walker, Kanzig is on my radar and someone who I think will finally get some praise. This will be Hicketts time to shine and hopefully he will get paired with Fransoo.


Vancouver Giants: Dmitri Osipov (1st overall import pick), Jackson Houck and Mason Geertsen (2013 draft picks).
Kelowna Rockets: The majority of their team, their d-man (Bowey, Lees, Wheaton, Stadel) and forwards (Bell, Chartier, Merkley, Baille)
Kamloops Blazers: Lipon and Bozon. Maybe Jordan Thomson.
Prince George Cougars: 1st overall bantam pick Alex Forsberg will be back after leaving the team early last season. Skilled player who got passed up in the 2013 draft.

BIitz said:
Where would you guys rank him in terms of WHL D, now, and if he has a season you are expecting?

I ask mainly cause this year isn't as strong for WHL defensemen as the past couple years, and I was wondering if he'd be a riser.
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Right now it goes something like this (in my opinion):

1. Haydn Fleury (Red Deer)
2. Julius Honka (Import pick from Finland, Swift Current)
3/4. Brycen Martin (Swift Current)
3/4. Joe Hicketts (Victoria)

I personally think Hicketts could go ahead of Martin. Honka is a potential first rounder and Haydn Fleury is pretty much what Hicketts is but at 6'2"
 
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Hicketts is an amazing hockey player, and some one was right if he was even 5'11 we would be talking about him in the top 10 of the draft the kid is that good.....I still think it will take a little time for him but he will make the NHL and be a decent player too, the kid is wayyyyy to talented to not make the league, if i was a team next year picking early 2nd round as it stands right now, i would not hesitate taking him at all.
 
I sat on 3rd row on the blueline last season when the Winterhawks came to town. Hicketts and Fransoo were matched head to head against the top scoring line in the CHL.

That line had one PP goal all night, Hicketts made Brendan Leipsic his personal ***** all night long. Having watched quite a number of Portland games last year, it was the first time I saw Leipsic consistently stood up at the blue line. Seemed to be able to do it with ease in the Memorial Cup and WHL finals, yet Hicketts had him in his back pocket all night long.

It wasn't just not allowing him in, he stood him up, gap was beautiful all night, stick was excellent but he hit a lot harder than I thought he could. Great little player, one of those guys you really root for.
 
He's a very complete well-rounded defensemen considering his size.. Great offensive and defensive instincts and has all the tools to go with it. If he can grow a few more inches, like already stated, he's a top 10-15 talent, imo.
 
Very interested to see this guy play live and how small he appears to the eye. Is Kris Russell circa Med Hat a fair comparison?
 
Saw him play over a dozen times last year. Great great player to watch. scored ne of the greatest goals I have ever seen last year. He fell at the blueline, deked around one guy n his knees, got up, and scored. I think he went around someone else too, can't remember exactly.

If he grows two inches, easy first round draft pick. If not, would have a great career in Europe..could stay in the AHL for a long time.
 
VictoriaJetsFan said:
Saw him play over a dozen times last year. Great great player to watch. scored ne of the greatest goals I have ever seen last year. He fell at the blueline, deked around one guy n his knees, got up, and scored. I think he went around someone else too, can't remember exactly.

If he grows two inches, easy first round draft pick. If not, would have a great career in Europe..could stay in the AHL for a long time.
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I was there too. I think that was the Kelowna game?


Edit.
Wrong. Portland game.
 
Xavier Ouellet said:
Apparently so Yandle :P

Pregame Pig is a must :)
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Pulled pork poutine?

If he can crack 5'10" he will be a first rounder for sure. So poised for a first year and getting the "A" at the Ivan Hlinka tournament shows that he has leadership qualities. Pretty stoked for this upcoming season to see how he progressed after his first season.
 
The Isles draft a lot of small defensemen from the CHL, I wouldn't be surprise in Snow snag him in the late rounds.
 
Some NHL team will take a chance with him in late rounds. Great player and already wears the "A" some games as a 17 year old. Just unfortunately extremely short for a Dman to play in NHL. Has him listed as 5'8 but that is even a exaggeration.
 
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