Nov. 14, 2016

By Pete Wallner, MLive
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GRAND RAPIDS - It's easy for Joe Hicketts to be a fan favorite of the Grand Rapids Griffins given he is 5-foot-9, fearless and hits like a ton a bricks.

That's a good start for a first-year defenseman to be appreciated among his teammates, but he's gaining the respect of coach Todd Nelson as well with his ability to learn quickly.

"He's progressing very nicely," Nelson said of the first-year player from Kamloops, British Columbia. "The thing for him is, he's not very big but plays hard, he's a competitor and he has great hockey sense."

Hicketts picked up his first pro goal Saturday – an overtime winner against Milwaukee – and has already worked himself into the power play as the Griffins head into home games Wednesday and Friday against Texas.

Hicketts is a small package of energy, speed and good humor– not to mention a missing front row of teeth – who was undrafted and signed with Detroit in 2014.

He proved himself in Victoria of the WHL (averaged 62 points the past two seasons and was captain) and won a gold medal with Canada at the World Junior Championships. He's also been in the past two prospects tournaments and development camps with the Red Wings.

He earned his shot with the Griffins out of camp, played in the first six games and then sat against Charlotte. He hasn't been out since with four points (1-3-4) in 11 games.

"That was something new for me," Hicketts said, "But it was just one of those things were you're coming into a new situation with older guys and feeling your way through a little bit. It kind of gives you a kick in the butt to step up your game."

Veteran defenseman Nathan Paetsch likes Hickett's progress.

"Since the start of the season he's grown a lot," Paetsch said. "You have to understand, he's 20 years old and there will be speed bumps. But he's getting better every night. You can tell. Plus, he's gained confidence and that's really important for a young guy."

It was the height that hurt his draft position, and will remain an obstacle to the NHL, but it not an impossibility with an interest nowadays in fast moving, offensive-minded defenseman. (See: 5-9, 185-pound MSU grad Torey Krug with Boston, 5-10, 190-pound Tyson Barrie of Colorado and 5-10, 185-pound veteran John Michael Liles, also with Boston.)

"I know and recognize that I'm one of the smaller guys on the ice, but I don't pay much attention to it," said Hicketts, who checks in at 180 pounds. "I'm not scared to go into a corner with bigger guys. Obviously I know my limitations, but I try and use good hockey sense and play smart."

"He may be our shortest player but he's also our biggest hitter," Paetsch said. "There are some tall D men who can't stay on their feet. When you're that solid, the two kind of cross each other out."

Hicketts went into the corner Friday against 6-4, 224-pound Carl Dahlstrom of Rockford and emerged with the puck. He also picked up an assist and got off a team-high five shots. He went up against 6-4, 218 pound veteran defenseman Adam Pardy the next night in Milwaukee.

"Because of my size I think I can surprise a lot of guys," he said. "I'm getting more comfortable and just getting my timing down and if some of my checks can generate momentum or a scoring chance, all the better."