You can add another Kamloops connection to the Minnesota Wild organization.
Kamloops native Joe Hicketts has signed a two year, $1.5 million two-way contract with the Wild as free agency got underway in the National Hockey League today – a signing first reported by Jon Keen.
The 25-year-old unrestricted free agent spent the first five years of his pro-career with the Detroit Red Wings organization, though he mostly played for their American League farm team, the Grand Rapids Griffins, where he won a Calder Cup title in 2017.
“Looking at the Minnesota depth chart, I thought there was lot of opportunity,” Hicketts told NL Sports. “It was something that I was willing and was looking forward to moving forward with with. As things moved along, it seemed more clear to me that that might have been the right fit.”
In 22 NHL games, Hicketts put up five points, all assists. That’s compared to 286 AHL games where he scored 16 goals along with 102 assists for 118 points.
During the 2020-21 season, Hicketts led all Griffins defensemen in scoring with 18 points (1 goal, 17 assists) in 32 games. He also was second on the team in assists, tied for second amongst all AHL defensemen in assists, and tied tenth in overall points.
“No one strives to be a career minor leaguer, you want to make it to the NHL. I think I’ve proven myself more than enough in the American league, now its time to make that step to the NHL,” Hicketts said, noting he wants to make most of his new opportunity.
“I think they’ve only got four NHL defensemen signed right now [in Minnesota], though I’m sure they are going to be more signed. I think there’s opportunity and its about me grabbing that opportunity and running with it now.”
The Wild are coached by Dean Evason, who played for the Kamloops Junior Oilers. The team also drafted Blazers forwards Caedan Bankier and Josh Pillar in the 2021 NHL draft.
– With files from Jon Keen
Hey-o, Joe!
The #mnwild has signed defenseman Joe Hicketts to a two-year, two-way contract ($750,000/$300,000).
More 🗞 » https://t.co/jsDNQZL5eC pic.twitter.com/8yMbUSH0QV
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) July 28, 2021
Hey-o, Joe!
The #mnwild has signed defenseman Joe Hicketts to a two-year, two-way contract ($750,000/$300,000).
More 🗞 » https://t.co/jsDNQZL5eC pic.twitter.com/8yMbUSH0QV
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) July 28, 2021