Jumbo Joe is in the Show. Former Victoria Royals captain Joe Hicketts played his first National Hockey League game on Monday night, suiting up on defence for the Detroit Red Wings in a 3-0 road victory at the Prudential Center against the New Jersey Devils.
Affectionately known as Jumbo Joe in these parts and the most popular player to don the blue and white of the Royals, Hicketts played 15:13 of total ice time, finished plus-1 with one hit, three blocked shots and two giveaways. He killed penalties with defensive partner Jonathan Ericsson, finishing with 4:22 of penalty killing time. “It’s something that, as a kid, you dream of, to play your first National Hockey League game and I’m obviously excited with my parents coming in,” he told the Fox broadcast via Sportsnet. “It should be a fun day and I look forward to the opportunity.”
With his size — just five-foot-eight and 180 pounds — many wondered whether the chance would ever come.
“I think the biggest part of my personality and character is being positive, being relentless in a way. I think I’ve been able to push through that adversity that I’ve faced throughout my career so far and it’s made me better for it as a player and person. I’m definitely proud of this moment, that I’m here tonight, and I’m ready for it,” he added pre-game.
Still just 21, Hicketts was called up from the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League on Sunday and became the first member of the Royals franchise (post the Chilliwack Bruins days) to play in an NHL game — a fact that was not lost on current Royals general manager Cam Hope.
“We’re a pretty young franchise, so it had to happen eventually and I think there isn’t a guy that deserves it more than Joe, no one who has worked harder, that’s for sure,” said Hope.
That’s been Hicketts’ trademark throughout as he has fought the stigma of being too small to be a regular NHLer.
“He finds a way to show people that they have underestimated him all along,” said Hope. “It’s not dissimilar to the way Matthew Phillips plays. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that they are both guys that weren’t given the gift of height, so from a young age they knew they were going to have to do it on determination and prove people wrong.”
In 43 games with Grand Rapids this season, Hicketts had two goals and eight assists to go with 26 penalty minutes and he was minus-10 in the plus/minus department.
Last season, he was instrumental in the Griffins’ run to their Calder Cup championship, tallying seven goals and 27 assists in 73 games with a plus-15 rating. He was second in the AHL’s rookie defenceman scoring in playoffs with a goal and seven assists in all 19 appearances in the title run.
Throughout his career, Hicketts has fought the stigma of size, but he’s proved he certainly doesn’t play a small man’s game and that’s what led to his eventual first look.
“Joe has a couple things I love. He’s got swagger and he’s got a great brain for the game. I think we could use some of that swagger,” Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill told media on Sunday.
“We need a little more offence from our back end. He hasn’t had an unreal year, production-wise, this year, but if you look historically, certainly his point production last year as a rookie, his point production his last few years of junior were great. He had a great training camp for us.
“So, we’re going to give him a look. I don’t know if it’ll be a long look or short look, he’ll have something to say about that. I just think the swagger with which he plays and his ability to make plays offensively would be the reason why we’re bringing him up.”
Hicketts totalled 173 points (32 goals and 141 assists) in 224 career games with the Royals, where he served as captain the past two years. He also represented Canada twice at the World Junior Hockey Championship, winning gold the first time and wearing an ‘A’ as assistant captain the second.
Blashill said it’s Hicketts’ overall body of work that has earned him the call-up as he replaces injured defenceman Trevor Daley. Blashill also likes Hicketts’ physical game and the fact that he is not intimidated going against larger opponents.
“He’s got a big heart, big compete. He’s excelled at every level because of those things,” Blashill told media. “His skill set doesn’t scream NHL in terms of skating, size, body, all that, but he’s proven people wrong his whole life.
“He was one of the best defencemen when he played for the Canadian world junior team. He was a big piece of their Calder Cup championship team last year in Grand Rapids and I think he brings stuff to the table that can help our team.
“The more guys you have like that, it’s an important component of a hockey team,” Blashill added.
In the Red Wings preseason, Hicketts played four games, collecting four assists (including three on the power play).
Hicketts, who hails from Kamloops, was undrafted, but signed as a free agent. He wore his customary No. 2 with the Red Wings on Monday with parents Mike and Lee-Gaye Hicketts in the stands.
mannicchiarico@timescolonist.com
