Hickey Named Biggest Riser from 2014 Draft - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

SuperMatt18 · 02-26-2015, 10:41 AM

Corey Pronman published his list of the biggest risers from the 2014 NHL Draft today and Calgary Flames 3rd rounder Brandon Hickey was named at the top of that list.

Quote:

Hickey has been one of the season's biggest risers in my eyes, playing at a very high level as an 18-year-old freshman in a tough conference. Hickey skates very well, has above-average puck skill, is very physical and has been effective on both special teams for BU. His reads could still use a little work -- as the quality of competition jump from the Junior-A level shows at times -- but overall, his talent level and intangibles stand out. Hickey has emerged as a player who will make the next top 100 drafted prospects list.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nhl/story...sing-stock-nhl (Need ESPN Insider to Read)

Roof-Daddy · 02-26-2015, 10:42 AM

With his current trajectory, I can see him turning pro after one more year of college.

Azure · 02-26-2015, 10:47 AM

I remember Brodie being looked at the same way with the same intangibles.

codynw · 02-26-2015, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure

I remember Brodie being looked at the same way with the same intangibles.

Was Brodie ever much of a physical player, even in junior?

saillias · 02-26-2015, 10:49 AM

I like the very physical part. Since we traded Phaneuf, Regehr, Sarich we haven't had any D who plays something resembling a physical game.

handgroen · 02-26-2015, 10:49 AM

damn it feels good to be a flames fan....

Muta · 02-26-2015, 10:51 AM

So far, so good... would be amazing if we found another Brodie, and outside the first two rounds, to boot. If Hickey pans out... props to Button and his team. Seems like they really found their stride once Darryl Sutter left and they were allowed to go a different direction.

Enoch Root · 02-26-2015, 10:53 AM

Drafting 18 year olds is so tough. It's all about progression, and IMO, that year after the draft can be really telling.

Hickey looks really good this year. It's great to see, but what makes it really exciting is the fact that his skating is so good (the most important thing IMO) AND he has pretty good size.

Very exciting prospect (but don't expect the Flames to rush him here)

Dajazz · 02-26-2015, 10:57 AM

What's happening? Our future was doom and gloom...

Awesome.

Hey Edmonton, how are those 1st's working out for ya?

activeStick · 02-26-2015, 10:58 AM

So Button has been our main scout for a while has he not? Why all the apparent success in recent years (I know it's still early, but definitely a lot more positives vibes of late) but epic fails in the past? I'm honestly confused.

FBI · 02-26-2015, 10:58 AM

Man our drafting has been spot on lately!
Hunter Smith looking good too as well as Carroll and Rafikov!

dammage79 · 02-26-2015, 10:59 AM

Hickey, unlike Brodie, uses his one timer and it's a cannon. Read or watched somewhere (likely the backburner forum) that Hickey's team mates think he has the best shot on the team.

Combine this with more physical play and Brodie level skating, oh boy we may have a very shiny diamond in the rough.

MrMastodonFarm · 02-26-2015, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

With his current trajectory, I can see him turning pro after one more year of college.

Don't think they'll be in any rush to get him signed after two years. The new-ish BU coach David Quinn is known for being good with defenders. Hickey will stay atleast three seasons total I'd imagine. He's an exciting prospect regardless though.

Hickey is one of the guys many point to when some are quick to brush aside Flames defensive prospects. He's good.

Gaskal · 02-26-2015, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dammage79

Hickey, unlike Brodie, uses his one timer and it's a cannon. Read or watched somewhere (likely the backburner forum) that Hickey's team mates think he has the best shot on the team.

IIRC they voted him the best one-timer on the team.

Table 5 · 02-26-2015, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by activeStick

So Button has been our main scout for a while has he not? Why all the apparent success in recent years (I know it's still early, but definitely a lot more positives vibes of late) but epic fails in the past? I'm honestly confused.

He's either been working under new parameters set by the GM (that changed quite a bit under Feaster who started emphasizing skill and hockey intelligence), or they've let him make the calls more on his own compared to before. And him and his team have probably also been a little lucky.

Either way, the scouting of this team has definitely seen a huge improvement from 5-10 years ago.

Bandwagon In Flames · 02-26-2015, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dammage79

Hickey, unlike Brodie, uses his one timer and it's a cannon. Read or watched somewhere (likely the backburner forum) that Hickey's team mates think he has the best shot on the team.

Combine this with more physical play and Brodie level skating, oh boy we may have a very shiny diamond in the rough.

Apparently Jack Eichel was quoted as saying Hickey has the best shot on the team. I'll take his word for it!

Was very excited hearing about Hickey. Even right after the draft there was lots of talk that this kid will be an NHLer after a couple years of successful development.

He also seems to have a solid head on his shoulders which isn't surprising considering the Flames recent draft history.

Roof-Daddy · 02-26-2015, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Don't think they'll be in any rush to get him signed after two years. The new-ish BU coach David Quinn is known for being good with defenders. Hickey will stay atleast three seasons total I'd imagine. He's an exciting prospect regardless though.

I don't think they'll be any rush either, but I don't think they'll hold him back ....and I guess what I'm saying is that with his current trajectory I think he will be ready to pro after next season.

GioforPM · 02-26-2015, 11:12 AM

Reading about Hickey gives me a big riser as well.

[sees self out]

RyZ · 02-26-2015, 11:13 AM

Pronman has been high on Hickeys progress for a while. He has been talking about Hickey since before Christmas. Its great to see that his play hasnt dropped off at all since then and has even likely picked up and continued to rise.

Street Pharmacist · 02-26-2015, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyZ

Pronman has been high on Hickeys progress for a while. He has been talking about Hickey since before Christmas. Its great to see that his play hasnt dropped off at all since then and has even likely picked up and continued to rise.

His points have slowed, but he's getting tons of shots on net. Great accurate shot too. Didn't miss too often from the few games I've watched