Hicketts relishing mentor role as Reign captain, but keeping eyes on NHL return

The American Hockey League stalwart takes pride in mentoring younger players in Ontario, Calif., and notes he is an asset to the big club, the Los Angeles Kings, in part because of his value in player development.

But the 5-foot-8 defenceman is nowhere near throwing in the towel on his own NHL ambitions.

“You wouldn’t be a professional athlete if you didn’t want to play at the highest level,” said Hicketts, a world juniors gold medallist who won the Calder Cup with the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2017. “I got the opportunity last year to get called up for a couple of games. I didn’t play, but it gave me that sense of belief again that I’m right there.”

Hicketts last played an NHL game on Nov. 21, 2019, logging about 17 minutes on the blueline for the Detroit Red Wings in a 5-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“You’re one injury, one bad meal away from playing in the National Hockey League,” Hicketts said. “That’s why we work out all summer.”

Hicketts is entering the final year of his two-year, two-way contract with the Kings, a deal with an average annual value of U.S. $775,000.

“As nice as the security is, you can’t change your game or mentality in a contract year, so I’ll just go and try and be me,” Hicketts said. “Play hard, be competitive, be a leader and I believe everything will take care of itself. I’ve got no pressure.”

Hicketts had four goals, 21 points, 61 penalty minutes and a plus-1 rating in 67 games with the Reign last season.

Ontario (47-20-3-2) won the Pacific Division, earned a first-round post-season bye and lost in division semifinals, falling 3-2 to Coachella Valley in the best-of-five series after dropping Game 5 in double overtime.

Hicketts said he enjoyed captaining Canada at the Spengler Cup this past winter in Davos, Switzerland, but the experience did not seem to pique interest in playing professionally in Europe.

“At this point, I wouldn’t say I’m ready to go yet,” Hicketts said. “Now, ask me again in a couple of years, that answer might change. But as long as I believe and feel that I’m right there to play NHL games, at this point in my career, I’m probably going to stay over here.”

As for who is stronger in the gym, Stankoven or Hicketts?

“I don’t know,” Hicketts said with a laugh. “He [Stankoven] played a little longer than I did this year, but I think I’ve got the old-man strength a little bit. He’s a good workout buddy. We both push each other.”

by Marty Hastings

Hicketts relishing mentor role as Reign captain, but keeping eyes on NHL return

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