| DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings today recalled defenseman Joe Hicketts from the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins. In his fourth professional season, Hicketts, 23, has split the 2019-20 campaign between the Red Wings and Griffins, posting one point (0-1-1), four shots on goal, eight hits, nine blocked shots and 18:01 average time on ice in four NHL games. In 11 games with Grand Rapids, Hicketts leads all defensemen with nine points (0-9-9). His nine assists are tied for second most on the Griffins and are tied for fifth highest total among AHL blueliners. Hicketts has suited up in 20 NHL games over the last three seasons, compiling four points (0-4-4), two penalty minutes, 22 shots on goal, 34 hits and 48 blocked shots in 18:10 average time on ice. Since turning pro in 2016-17, Hicketts has competed in 215 AHL contests, all with Grand Rapids, and has logged 82 points (13-69-82), a plus-eight rating and 147 penalty minutes. He captured a 2017 Calder Cup Championship as a rookie and has totaled 11 points (1-10-11), a plus-seven rating and 18 penalty minutes in 29 career AHL postseason games. A native of Kamloops, British Columbia, Hicketts was originally signed by the Red Wings as an undrafted free agent prior to the 2014-15 campaign. Before turning pro, the 5-foot-8, 180-pound blueliner spent four seasons with the Victoria Royals of the Western Hockey League, recording 173 points (32-141-173), a plus-69 rating and 149 penalty minutes over 224 regular season contests. Additionally, Hicketts tallied 15 points (1-14-15) and 29 penalty minutes in 31 WHL playoff games. He served as Victoria’s captain from 2014-16 and posted over 50 assists and 60 points in back-to-back seasons with the team. The production earned him a selection on the WHL West Second All-Star Team in 2015, plus a spot on the First All-Star Team in 2016. In international competition, Hicketts has represented Canada on multiple occasions, including the 2015 and 2016 IIHF World Junior Championships. He won gold in 2015 and served as an alternate captain in 2016, notching six points (1-5-6) in 12 games over the two showcases. He also earned medals at the 2014 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament (gold), 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (silver) and the 2014 World Under-18 Championship (bronze). |
