It had been two months since former Victoria Royals captain Joe Hicketts had been called up for his first and only game with the Detroit Red Wings.
The small, but gritty defenceman made the most of his second callup from the Grand Rapids Griffins on Tuesday night, recording his first two NHL points in the WingsB次元官网网址� 5-2 home win against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Hicketts assisted on Frans NielsenB次元官网网址檚 power play goal later in the second period, then added another helper on Darren HelmB次元官网网址檚 goal 6:21 into the third period. Hicketts, a compact 5-8, 180 pounds, also led Detroit with six blocked shots on the night.
He told detroitredwings.com that he was a bit starstruck at first playing against Crosby, but felt he improved as the game went on. B次元官网网址淏次元官网网址� in the third I thought I really brought what I wanted to bring. Now itB次元官网网址檚 going to be about continuing that and bringing it every day,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 know that if I want to leave the impression I want to leave, you got to go out there and do what the coaching staff wants.B次元官网网址�
Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill told Hicketts that he would see time on the power play and get a healthy amount of ice time as the team looks to get a better feel for his talents and abilities.
