Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of www.whl.ca
- Name: Thomas Hickey
- Position: D
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 5-10
- Weight: 195 lbs
- Birthdate: 1989-02-08
- Eligible for Draft: 2007
- Drafted: 2007
- Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
- Acquired: 1st round (4th overall), 2007
- Playing In: Pro
Thomas Hickey
Prospect Grade: 8.0 C (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
2006-07: He played for Seattle as a 15-year-old and has improved his offensive play each season. Hickey played most of the past season with veteran Scott Jackson (STL). He scored nine goals and 41 assists in 68 games.
2007-08: While his offensive production did not exceed his pre-draft season, Hickey took on a much larger role both as a target for the opposition and as a team leader. Tenth in the WHL in scoring among defensemen with 45 points in 63 games, Hickey was named a First Team All-Star for the Western Conference. As a squad, the Seattle Thunderbirds shifted their scoring emphasis more towards their forwards this season than in past years, capable of icing two equally potent scoring lines, and reducing their reliance on production from the blueline. Consequently, Hickey concentrated on other aspects of his game and rounded into more of a pure two-way defenseman with a considerable amount of grit.
2008-09: Attempting to round out his skills as a defenseman, Hickey spent the first half of the season concentrating on the defensive side of the rink with Seattle of the WHL, resulting in a mild drop in points but a spike in +/-. Unleashed for the second half of the season, Hickey went on a tear that turned previously low goal and point totals to start the season into career highs for each. Assigned to Manchester at the conclusion of Seattle's season, Hickey did not skip a beat in immediately integrating himself into the team and scoring seven points in his seven games in the AHL.
* Read this Hockey's Future article on Thomas Hickey
Talent Analysis
Hickey's strong suit is his skating ability, a skill that has enabled him to excel in the WHL at a young age. Another product of the successful Hockey Canada programs, Hickey exudes confidence on and off the ice. He plays bigger than his 5'11, 185-pound frame might suggest. A well-spoken player with great on-ice vision. Uses his skating ability to move the puck out of the zone and pressure the opposition's forwards up-ice. Might develop into a future powerplay quarterback.
Future
Projects as a top pairing defenseman, one that can quarterback the power play and has the mobility to move the puck up-ice rapidly. Hickey has more grit to him than his body frame would suggest. With nothing left to prove in major junior hockey and demonstrating that he can play solid defense in addition to his offensive skills, Hickey is a front-runner to make the NHL squad as a 6th defenseman at some point during the 2009-10 season. As he gains professional experience, his role with Los Angeles will increase.
Stats
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Profile Last Updated: October, 2nd 2009
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