That Hicketts led the Wings with six blocked shots against the Penguins didn't surprise his coach.

"He has guts," Blashill said.

Hicketts may not look like an NHL player, but the Wings will quickly find out if he is one over the remainder of the season.

"He doesn't really match the model of NHL defensemen, in terms of size and skating and skill set," Blashill said pregame. "He doesn't look like an NHL player. Now some guys break the mold because of character and heart and swagger. I think he's a guy that can potentially break the mold of what successful NHL defensemen are. We'll see."

Blashill coached another undersized defenseman, Torey Krug, on the Indiana Ice in 2008-2009. Krug went on to star at Michigan State and now plays for the Boston Bruins.

"He does have some similarities to Torey," Blashill said of Hicketts.

Blashill said Krug improved his skating at a younger age and Hicketts needs to do the same.

"Joe's going to have to go to work this summer and keep pushing his body to where nobody talks about Joe's skating next year," Blashill said. "That's what Torey did.
"They've got very similar swagger and chip on their shoulders."

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