National Hockey League 2012 No. 2 overall draft pick Ryan Murray, who will be with the Everett Silvertips tonight at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, is the Western Hockey League defenceman of now.
Victoria Royals defence-man Joe Hicketts, however, may be the WHL blueliner of tomorrow. The 16-yearold was merely an interested spectator Thursday night for the WHL-Russian Subway Super Series game at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
Don't be surprised to see Hicketts in the Super Series in the years ahead. Already having gone to the Junior Winter Olympics and Western Canada U-16 championships, Hicketts's rise beyond the club level continues with the announcement Thursday of his selection to the 22-player Team Pacific (B.C. and Alberta) roster for the 2013 World U-17 Hockey Challenge from Dec. 29 to Jan. 4 in Victoriaville and Drummondville, Que.
Also named to Team Pacific were Royals blue-line mate Ryan Gagnon of Quesnel and defenceman Dysin Mayo of Victoria, property of the WHL's Edmonton Oil Kings.
Past U-17 World Challenge performers have included Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in 2010, Evander Kane in 2008, Brent Seabrook, Mike Green and Dion Pha-neuf in 2002, Jarome Iginla in 1994 and Joe Sakic in 1986.
That's darn decent company.
Royals' fans should get used to missing Hicketts from club play in December - maybe even for future world junior championships.
"I definitely want to set these kinds of goals," Hick-etts said.
"But there's a lot of work yet to be done on my part, and I have to keep mindful of that," added the undersized but highly mobile native of Kamloops.
Toward that end, Hick-etts kept a keen eye on Thursday night's Super Series proceedings.
"During the games against the Russians, the WHL blueline featured five first-round draft picks [including Murray, who played Wednesday in Vancouver but not Thursday night in Victoria], so it's definitely an opportunity to watch and learn some things," Hicketts said.
Hicketts, Gagnon and the Royals - a disappointing 1-6 on their recent road odyssey to fall to 10-10 overall - are home tonight for the first time since Oct. 23. Murray and the Silvertips, meanwhile, are 7-13-2.
On Saturday night, the Regina Pats (9-12-1) make their first visit to Blanshard Street in 18 years when they take on the Royals at 7 p.m.
