Wednesday 31 July 2013

Interview: Hicketts named Team Canada U-18

Victoria Royals defenseman Joe Hicketts was one of seven WHL players selected to represent Canada at the U-18 Ivan Hilinka Memorial Tournament August 5-10 in Piestany, Slovakia and Breclav, Czech Republic.

“It’s an honour being one of 22 guys in the nation for our age group, it’s definitely something to be proud of…we have a goal here to win gold.” – Joe Hicketts

Hicketts first practice in Breclav came late in the evening, wrapping up at 8:30 pm Wednesday with the 9 hour time change.

“I feel fine - had a good sleep on the plane, been up all day and this practice kept me awake at the very end…”

Along with the language, playing overseas brings on a new set of challenges for the players.

“You have to get used to the beds, the meals…not a lot of guys are used to small hotel rooms so I think that’ll be a big part of getting ready for this tournament.”

Hicketts was the Royals ‘Rookie of the Year’, last season posting 24 points (6g-18a) over 67 games.

“I want to bring a defensive role, shutting down the other teams top lines.  I’d also like to bring some offense and leadership role.”

Last April he played two exhibition games as an underager for Team Canada in Sochi, Russia at the 2013 IIHF Under-18 World Championships. 

“It paid huge dividends, I got familiarized with the speed and size of the rink…”

He was Captain of Team Pacific for the 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge this past season where he registered six points (1g-5a) in five games of competition.  He was also named Captain of Team Canada for the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games last year where he collected five points (0g-5a) en route to a bronze medal.

“This is bringing together the top players in the world, U-17 was the top kids in BC and Alberta where now we’re combining the top kids across Canada – that makes it the biggest part for me.”

Canada’s Under-18 team will be gunning for its 6th consecutive Gold medal at the Memorial for Ivan Hlinka tournament.

“Everyone wants to come knock us down…we have to stay humble and not take our opponents lightly.”

-Marlon Martens

Monday 29 July 2013

Joe Hicketts named to Team Canada U-18 Team



ROYALS’ JOE HICKETTS EARNS SPOT ON TEAM CANADA
Victoria defenceman to play for Team Canada’s Under-18 team at 2013 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament.
For Immediate Release
Monday, July 29, 2013

Victoria, BC – The Victoria Royals are proud to announce that defenceman Joe Hicketts has been named to Team Canada’s Under-18 team by Hockey Canada for the 2013 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament.

The announcement of the 22-man roster was made by Hockey Canada today after the completion of Team Canada’s Under-18 selection camp in Toronto, ON. Hicketts was one of 42 players born in 1996 who competed in the selection camp. The 2013 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament will take place between August 5-10 in Piestany, Slovakia and Breclav, Czech Republic.

Most recently, Hicketts suited up for Team Canada last April in Sochi, Russia when he took part in two exhibition games at the 2013 IIHF Under-18 World Championships as an underage player. Hicketts, a 5-8 rearguard, completed his rookie season with the Royals last year and posted 24 points (6g-18a) over 67 games played. Named the club’s 2012-13 Rookie of the Year, Hicketts also notched one assist in six games during the 2013 WHL Playoffs.

Drafted 12th overall in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft, Hicketts is no stranger to Hockey Canada. The Kamloops, BC native was named captain of Team Pacific for the 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge this past season where he registered six points (1g-5a) in five games of competition. The rookie blueliner was also named as the captain of Team Canada for the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games last year where he collected five points (0g-5a) en route to a bronze medal.

We are Royal Blue, are you? 2013-14 season ticket packages starting from $414 are on sale now! To guarantee yourself the best seats at the best prices call 250-220-7889, visit www.victoriaroyals.com, or head down to the Victoria Royals Ticketing office at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.

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For further information contact:

Corey St. Laurent
Manager of Communications and Hockey Operations Coordinator
Victoria Royals Hockey Club
250-220-2613
corey.st.laurent@victoriaroyals.com



HOCKEY CANADA / WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / MONDAY, JULY 29TH,  2013

SEVEN WHL PLAYERS NAMED TO TEAM CANADA U-18 TEAM
CALGARY, Alta. –  Hockey Canada today announced the 22-man roster for Canada’s National Under-18 Team that will compete in the 2013 Memorial for Ivan Hlinka tournament in August.

Seven of the 22 players named to the roster are from the Western Hockey League, including defencemen Joe Hicketts (Victoria Royals), Haydn Fleury (Red Deer Rebels) and Ryan Pilon (Lethbridge Hurricanes), and forwards Jayce Hawryluk (Brandon Wheat Kings), Rourke Chartier (Kelowna Rockets), Brayden Point (Moose Jaw Warriors) and Jake Virtanen (Calgary Hitmen).

The 2013 Canadian Under-18 roster features two goaltenders, seven defencemen and 13 forwards.  All 22 players named to the Under-18 roster play in the Canadian Hockey League.

Hicketts, a product of Kamloops, B.C., was Victoria’s first-round pick, 12th overall, in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft, and put up six goals and 24 points in 67 games as a 16-year-old rookie in 2012-13

Fleury, who hails from Carlyle, SK, was selected by Red Deer in the second round, 43rd overall, in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft.  He managed four goals and 19 points with a +4 rating in 66 games for the Rebels last season.

Pilon was the 3rd overall pick in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft.  The Duck Lake, SK, native scored five goals and 28 points in 57 games for the Hurricanes in 2012-13.

Hawryluk, from Roblin, MB, was chosen by the Wheat Kings in the second round, 32nd overall, in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft.  The 5’9”, 186-lb forward notched 18 goals and 43 points as a 16-year-old last season, finishing third on the Wheat Kings in scoring.

Chartier, a product of Saskatoon, SK, was Kelowna’s first-round pick, 15th overall, in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft.  The 2012-13 Western Conference nominee for WHL Scholastic Player of the Year scored 13 goals and 30 points with a +17 rating during his 16-year-old rookie campaign.

Point, a Calgary, AB, native, was selected 14th overall by the Moose Jaw Warriors in 2011.  He led all 16-year-old WHL rookies in scoring last season with 24 goals and 57 points.

Virtanen, an Abbotsford, B.C., resident, was selected by the Calgary Hitmen with the 1st overall pick in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft.  The 6’0”, 199-lb forward put up an impressive 16 goals and 34 points with a +25 rating in his first WHL campaign in 2012-13.

Canada’s Under-18 team will be gunning for its sixth consecutive Gold medal at the Memorial for Ivan Hlinka tournament.  The 2013 Memorial for Ivan Hlinka tournament begins on August 5th in Breclav, CZE, and Piestany, SVK.