LA Kings Training Camp Preview: Joe Hicketts

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LA Kings Training Camp Preview: Joe Hicketts

Originally posted on Hockey Royalty | By Kyle Garcia | Last updated Sep 9, 2026 5:03 AM ET

With training camp just around the corner, we are previewing each player on the LA Kings roster. Up next: Joe Hicketts!

Joe Hicketts

Birthdate: May 4, 1996

Birthplace: Kamloops, British Columbia

Height: 5’8

Weight: 177 lbs

Position: Defenseman

Shoots: Left

Draft: Undrafted

*NOTE: Since August 23rd, my Mom has picked the order of the training camp player previews for the Reign players because I couldn’t figure out what order to do them in. So, I asked for her assistance. Today, she chose Joe Hicketts!

2025-26 season

Joe Hicketts completed his third season with the Ontario Reign and his second as the team’s captain. Hicketts, 30, led the backend that featured four Kings prospects in either their first or second professional season in North America.

Captain Hicks with a cannon!! #ReignTrain | #TUCvsONT pic.twitter.com/0zkA60DQ2I

— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) October 12, 2025

The Captain with a slapperrrr#ReignTrain | #ONTvsSD pic.twitter.com/Lw1C78P9hJ

— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) November 8, 2025

Hicketts led by example with a style of play that isn’t the prettiest but gets the job done. Every AHL affiliate needs a veteran like Hicketts for presence and mentorship as players prepare and train at the pro level. Hicketts finished the season with 21 points (4 G, 17 A) in 67 games for the Reign. He tied for the lead in scoring for defensemen on the Reign and probably finished in the top two in blocked shots.

Joe Hicketts wraps up the @OntarioReign‘s weekend in OT pic.twitter.com/7IHBbw7wyN

— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) December 8, 2025

2026-27 outlook

Hicketts is entering the final year of his two-year contract with the LA Kings and is a lock to join the Reign again. He’ll serve as the team’s captain and lead the backend, which will feature five Kings prospects under 22 years of age. He’ll still play a key role for the Reign at 5v5 and on the penalty kill.

This article first appeared on Hockey Royalty and was syndicated with permission.

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