Taking Flight - Pit Bull in a China Shop

Defenseman Joe Hicketts was signed as a free agent by the Red Wings on Sept. 24, 2014 after a very successful junior career with the Victoria Royals. The 5-foot-8, 180-pound British Columbia native, is one of four Red Wings prospects writing for our Taking Flight blog series, which chronicles the players' ups and downs as they work their way to becoming Red Wings. Hicketts currently plays for Detroit's AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. Here is his first blog entry, 'Pit Bull in a China Shop.'

• https://www.nhl.com/player/joe-hicketts-8478176

Pit Bull in a China Shop - Entry 1

        by Joe Hicketts<br>Hi Wings fans, checking in from Grand Rapids. This past week of snowfall has me both excited as I love winter and anxious as we head into the bulk of the hockey season. Thanks ahead for all your support and I hope you enjoy getting some insights into what is going on with me!<br>First of all, what a start. Although the results may not have been what we all wanted, getting to start the season in the NHL was a dream come true. Playing in that home opener was awesome! Everything from the red carpet walk to the light show and the introductions, it was everything I thought it would be and more. Not only have I worked my whole life trying to put myself in a position to do that, these past two summers of off-ice training have been dedicated to achieving this feat. While I had already played my first National Hockey League game last year in New Jersey, and there's no replicating that feeling, you still cannot help getting chills walking down that tunnel into the eyes of HOCKEYTOWN.<br>Then came what has been up there among the best times of my life. Being a regular in the NHL, even if it was a brief stint, was another personal accomplishment worth writing about. And it wasn't always about the hockey. I mean, flying around to some of the best cities in the world, let alone the USA, is something I'll never forget. In the movie "Bull Durham," there's a scene where Kevin Costner's character recounts his time in the "Show" as the "best 21 days of my life." While I know this movie is about minor league baseball, I can't help but feel the same way about my first long stint in "the show." And while I may be in Grand Rapids right now, you can believe there's not a second of the day that I'm content with staying here. Every day is an opportunity to not only work on my game but to learn the finer things about this great game that will allow me to get another chance up with the big club.<br>As I just mentioned, being in Grand Rapids is not a bad spot by any means. I get to come to a team and city where I feel comfortable and have had success in the past. Playing with teammates that I've had in the past and for a familiar coaching staff has made for a smooth transition. While the amenities are certainly nothing like what Little Caesars may have, it's just all the more reason to continue working my hardest to get back there. Also, getting a chance to play more in more situations has given me that extra jolt of confidence going forward.<br>On top of the hockey, the lifestyle has certainly changed. I've just moved into my apartment for the year after spending almost 60 straight days in a hotel during training camp! I hope you can imagine how boring living in a hotel for that long can be. I'm pretty sure I ate at every restaurant in downtown Detroit twice over during that time. Not only has moving in given me a place to move into, it's also added a sense of stability in this crazy schedule we play. Having a sense of home is something I really believe everyone deserves and needs in order to be successful.<br>Now I'm from western Canada, which is by no means easy to get to during the season so when I say home I really mean my in-season home. It takes around 40 hours of driving over usually four days for me to get here! And as with everyone, you can bet there are days where I miss the mountains and everything that comes with living in British Columbia. I enjoy fishing and hunting as well as golf when I get that chance on my off days during the summer. And while there are those days that you may miss being home, I wouldn't trade a second as I'm living my childhood dream of playing professional hockey.<br>Getting back into hockey, what a turnaround for our clubs! The Wings have been on a tear and those of us with the Griffins have also been playing well. While I try to bring a positive, upbeat attitude to the rink every day regardless of what's happened in the past, there's nothing that helps a dressing room like winning. The confidence and swagger that come with wins is simply amazing. The music seems to be a little louder, the laughs a little longer and the jokesters and pranksters come out a little more often. It just goes to show how proud and deeply passionate we are as athletes working towards our goal of bringing championships to our respective cities.<br>I hope everyone has not only enjoyed reading this but has had the opportunity to enjoy family time over this Thanksgiving week!<br>I look forward to sharing some more in my next blog coming up in a month or so.<br>Here's to everyone's good health and happiness as well as continued good fortune for both the Griffins and Wings.<br><em>In eight games this season with the Griffins, Hicketts has two assists, is plus-1 and has been assessed 10 penalty minutes.</em>