MLive’s Ansar Khan discusses Joe Hicketts’ attempts to crack a crowded blueline this autumn, and while space on defense is scant, Hicketts believes that he brings an element to the team:
Hicketts said he wants to bring what he brought last season.
“I thought I brought a little bit of swagger,” Hicketts said. “I didn’t back down from anything. I think that’s important. As a small defenseman, I got to be able to go in the corners and know I’m going to win a puck and out-battle someone. That’s how I kind of modeled my game throughout my career, as being the most competitive guy on the ice. It’s got me to this point and hopefully it’s going to help me get to that next level, which is the NHL full-time.”
Puck management is a priority, something coach Jeff Blashill stressed to him last season.
“I think that’s the biggest thing, avoid turnovers, be good defensively and it’s about moving pucks up to our forwards,” Hicketts said. “If I can make little five-, six-, seven-foot plays to get the puck out of our end and into our forwards’ hands that’s what’s going to get me to that next level.”
Khan continues, and he posted a video of Hicketts’ remarks:
