D Joe Hicketts - Victoria Royals, WHL (2014 undrafted; 2014 signed, DET)
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snailderby
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- Jul 10, 2010
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What's the knock on small defensemen? Is it usually their weight or their height that makes it hard for them to break into the NHL? Or both? If Hicketts has the weight but not the size of a NHL defenseman, how much will that hurt him?
Skinnyjimmy08
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i talked to 2 different WHL coaches(both non Victoria coaches) in the offseason before this year and both said they are HUGE fans of Hicketts and already thought last year(at 17) he was one of the best overall dmen in the WHL. This kid is going to be an absolute beast the rest of the year and next year. I hate it though cause he is just so damn small in my opinion for the NHL
newfy
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- Jul 28, 2010
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I would say its both. Less height means less reach and less weight means you get pushed around instead of pushing other forwards around. I'm less worried about Hicketts' size though because of how heavy he is. Guys at that weight can be very solid in the NHL.
Francis Boullion was probably the same height and around the same weight as well. He was stocky and no one pushed him around because of how solid he was. He was even kinda tough at that size. I think Hicketts could manage at his weight, especially with theskill hes showing
If youre small, you probably wont have success if you cant skate and have poor hockey sense. If you have those, you can succeed. Lucky for hicketts he has both in spades along with a real powerful core and lower body. I think he'll be an nhl player.
detredWINgs
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Totally forgot about him in terms of a size/weight comparison but thats pretty spot on.
I think Hicketts is the best defenceman in the WHL. Obviously guys like Bowey, Fleury and Morrissey will be better NHLers just because of the size but at this age and competition Hicketts is the best of the bunch. It would be a massive mistake if Canada elects not to take him.
Bobby Blowhard
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One thing I haven't seen mentioned in this thread yet is Hickett's physical play. For a small player he plays with an aggressive edge, always looking to lay the body and has the ability and willingness to line up big hits. Also plays a bit chippy away from the puck, not to the extent of fighting but I think he shows a bit of an antagonistic side.
The Bouillon comparison is good only insofar as body type. Take Francis Bouillon's build and cross it with Ryan Ellis' offence and I think you have something close to Joe Hicketts.
And I don't think Hicketts is about to slow down. He looks great paired with Redekopp now that Kanzig is gone and Victoria is really starting to get dialled after a slow start. Victoria has the potential to keep rolling and crack the CHL top ten.
The Bouillon comparison is good only insofar as body type. Take Francis Bouillon's build and cross it with Ryan Ellis' offence and I think you have something close to Joe Hicketts.
And I don't think Hicketts is about to slow down. He looks great paired with Redekopp now that Kanzig is gone and Victoria is really starting to get dialled after a slow start. Victoria has the potential to keep rolling and crack the CHL top ten.
Good point on the physical thing. He is so good at breaking up an attack just by rubbing the guy out against the boards. That, hockey I.Q. and holding the puck in on the line on the powerplay I believe to be his greatest traits/talents.
Can't imagine landing in a better development system than Detroit. Hicketts is going to get plenty of time to refine his game before given an opportunity in the NHL. He's become a very intriguing prospect.
Hicketts might also benefit from the fact that no defenseman who was drafted after 2011 looks overly promising. HF already considers him to be the most talented bueliner of the next wave.
Gruß,
BSHH
Yung Rotini
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gretskidoo
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SimplySolace
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GoAwayDanCleary
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SimplySolace
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All of their D prospects after 2011 are still playing junior/NCAA. Mitch Wheaton was developing nicely until his injury. The jury is still out on Mike McKee and James De Haas, however.
