Down on the Farm: Hicketts Provides Beat for Playoff March in Iowa

It usually doesn't take long to spot Iowa Wild defenseman Joe Hicketts when he is on the ice. After all, no. 27 is involved in everything. From quarterbacking the power play to a spirited interaction with his opponents, Hicketts is an energetic and vocal locker room presence for the AHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild. He also leads by example and is among the AHL leaders in many offensive categories for a defenseman.

"He is a unique and special player on every team he has been on," said veteran forward Nic Petan. "He's a bit undersized, but he doesn't play the game that way, especially as a d-man. He has run our power play unit all year. One word to try to describe him as a player … a warrior.
"He never gives up on pucks. He's always battling. That is one guy who's going to come to the rink and play his hardest every night. He gets a lot of respect in the room for his effort and his play. He is pretty instrumental in that room."
The 26-year-old Hicketts is having his best pro season, which is saying a lot because he typically has produced good numbers throughout his seven-year career. Heading into the last week of March, Hicketts was among the leaders for AHL defensemen in points, assists, power-play points and power-play assists. Nonetheless, the Kamloops, BC native is humble when talking about his success.
"I think there is a little bit of luck involved," said the 5-foot-8, 180-pound Hicketts. "When you're putting up points the way I am, and those are mostly assists, someone's gotta put the puck in net. I've been lucky to have guys that can put the puck in the net.
"This year it's just been clicking a little bit more. I'm just trying to find the open guy and let them do the rest. I play with a lot of good players. When I do distribute or handoff to someone, good things have been happening."

It's not just his play that is leading the way, it's his experience and presence with the younger defensemen. The Iowa Wild started the season with three Minnesota Wild draft picks as rookie defensemen. Daemon Hunt (2020- 3rd Round, #65 overall), Ryan O'Rourke (2020- 2nd Round, #39 overall) and Simon Johansson (2018- 5th Round, #148 overall) all turned pro in 2022. Hunt has spent the most time paired with Hicketts and has learned a lot in his first season.
"Joey's been a good mentor for me," said the 20-year-old Hunt. "I'm learning from him every day. He's a great character guy in the room. Everybody loves him. He gives me tips here and there. I think we feed off each other on the ice. He is also very vocal, which I like and find helpful."
"I think it is important to help them through stuff," explained Hicketts. "Obviously being there to support them, both on and off the ice. You want to help them get through this first year of pro hockey.
"He's (Hunt) a good player and he doesn't really need a whole lot of guidance on the ice. I try with little things that I see and give pointers. Especially when we're going back to retrieve pucks and break pucks out. I tell him what I think and what I see. I'm trying to make sure we're on the same page."
Hicketts' play and the development of the defensive core has helped Iowa make a run at a spot in the Calder Cup playoffs this spring. He knows about championship success, having drank from the Calder Cup with Grand Rapids in 2017, and taking gold with an incredibly stacked Team Canada at the World Juniors in 2015. The 2015 Team Canada roster included current Iowa Wild teammate Nic Petan and NHL Superstar Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers.
Not only will Hicketts' postseason experience come in handy this April, but his ability to rock the locker room may be one of the more welcoming talents for the outgoing alternate captain. Even though Iowa spreads the DJ duties around with all players getting into the rotation (if they desire), it's not a surprise for Hicketts to regularly be streaming a playlist for his teammates. Some of his favorites include George Strait, Eric Church and Morgan Wallen.
"I don't take requests," he said with a chuckle. "That is a benefit of being an older player, but you do try and keep everyone happy. I'm a big country guy on off-days or practice days. If I do play tunes on game day, I like older rock."
There is one drawback to playing the tunes: it usually involves sacrificing your personal phone to provide the music. On the road, the duties default to players who can figure out the setup of the road speakers, which means Hicketts because he possesses the ability to connect his phone.
In honor of some of the great country promotions by the Iowa Wild front office this season, Hicketts has a unique bobblehead night in late March. Instead of the typical hockey figurine, his features a country hat, Canadian tuxedo and his well-documented "hockey smile." It is common for the player honored with the bobblehead to fulfill family/friend requests, which Hicketts has already been receiving.
Sounds like he will be distributing the bobbleheads the same way he does pucks. With his play, personality and perseverance, Hicketts provides a pivotal beat for the Iowa Wild's march to the playoffs.
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