WINGS CALL UP HICKETTS

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Sunday recalled defenseman Joe Hicketts from the Grand Rapids Griffins.

In his second year as a professional, Hicketts has tallied eight points (2-6—8) and 26 penalty minutes in 43 games with the Griffins this season.

Should he debut with the Red Wings, Hicketts will become the 168th Griffins alumnus to play in the NHL. Detroit is in New Jersey to play the Devils tomorrow at 7 p.m.

A 2017 Calder Cup champion with Grand Rapids, the 21-year-old led all team defensemen in scoring with 34 points (7-27—34) in 73 games last season. Among the AHL's first-year blueliners, Hicketts ranked seventh in points and tied for third with a plus-15 rating. Hicketts placed second among the circuit’s rookie defensemen in playoff points with eight (1-7—8) and skated in all 19 contests of the Griffins’ title run.

Undrafted, Hicketts played four seasons (2012-16) for the Victoria Royals of the Western Hockey League before turning pro. Serving as captain his final two years, the 5-foot-8, 180-pound defenseman totaled 173 points (32-141—173) in 224 career games.

A native of Kamloops, British Columbia, Hicketts has twice represented Canada at the World Junior Championships. He helped Canada win the gold medal in 2015 and served as an assistant captain the following year.

The Griffins host the Rockford IceHogs on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Single-game tickets are currently on sale. Fans can secure their full-season, select-season or group ticket packages by calling (616) 774-4585 ext. 2 or visit griffinshockey.com for more information.