Who saw that coming?
The fans downstairs, and out on the patio, are not pleased. Can't wait to see what Dean has to say about it.
For those who haven't seen it, here's the TSN.com profile on Hickey.
THOMAS HICKEY
Pos: Defence
Shoots: L
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 182 lbs.
Born: 2/8/1989
From: Calgary, AB
Team: Seattle (WHL)
RANKINGS
TSN: 13
CSB: 26 NA
ISS: 17
RLR: 26
McK: 29
THN: 22
The TSN Insider's Forecast: The book on Seattle Thunderbird defenceman Thomas Hickey has pages all over the place. Top 10. Top 20. Top 30. Second-round pick. Take your pick. There is wild divergence on the value of this smallish defenceman with good, if not above average, offensive ability. "Is he an offensive defenceman?" one scout said. "His point totals are okay, not spectacular." He is, however, clearly a good puck mover who in spite of the varied views is expected to go in the first half of the draft, if not the top 10. But if some of the teams in the first half of the first round who like Hickey like someone else a little more, Hickey could slide to later in the first round.
From NHL Central Scouting: A skilled defenseman. Positions himself well defensively and has good anticipation of the play. Able to skate the puck out of the zone and make good outlet passes. Controls the power-play with patience and is smart with the puck. Needs to improve his one-on-one containment out of the corners. Needs to be more consistent with his physical presence.
From ISS: Reminds ISS of a Kris Russell with less offensive ability. However, with saying that, Hickey still has offensive upside. Makes a good first pass out of his zone. Is good in both ends and uses his smarts to overcome his lack of size. Plays as a top four d-man used in all situations. Moves puck well - finds open man and then gets him the puck. Not afraid to battle and if check is there to be made, he will make it.
Year Team GP G A Pts Pim
2006-2007 Seattle (WHL) 68 9 41 50 70
2007 Playoffs Seattle (WHL) 11 3 4 7 4
About the bloggers
Rich Hammond has covered the Kings, on a full-time or part-time basis, since the 2000-01 season. He was the beat writer for the entire John Torchetti era and has witnessed Bob Miller singing country music in a Nashville honky-tonk bar. A native of Los Angeles, Rich has worked at the Daily News since 1999 and also serves as the paper's deputy sports editor. E-mail Rich at rich.hammond@dailynews.com.
Jill Painter joined the Daily News in 2000 and during the last eight years she's covered the Dodgers, Cal State Northridge, UCLA, Kings, golf and everything in between. Even though she's from Colorado, she still freezes in the Staples Center press box but always manages to thaw her fingers in time to make deadline. E-mail Jill at jill.painter@dailynews.com.
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