Connor Hicks is back in the mix
As a center piece in an early-season trade with the Hamilton Bulldogs involving holdout forward Will Bitten, Connor Hicks was acquired by the Flint Firebirds to bring experience and stability to the goalie position.
But as a third-year Ontario Hockey League goalie, the 19-year old Hicks struggled in the early going of the 2016-2017 season and as a result, the Firebirds turned to 19-year old rookie Garrett Forrest as an alternative.
Such were the struggles of Hicks that through his first 9 starts of the season for Flint, he had a goals against average north of 4.00, a shoddy save percentage of .862 and was yanked early in two games after giving up a combined 6 goals on 12 shots.
But over his last 6 outings — including a relief appearance — the 6-foot-4, 185-pound Hicks has found his form and in that span has a 4-1-1 record, 1.82 goals against average and .929 save percentage.
In all, Hicks has a 7-4-2 record, 3.19 goals against average, .882 save percentage and appears to have reclaimed his status as the Firebirds no. 1 goalie.
Firebirds head coach Ryan Oulahen told HockeyNewsNorth.com that the hard work of Hicks is showing.
“Connor is playing with lots of confidence and has played some big games for us as of late,” Oulahen said of the Ottawa area product, who attended the National Hockey League training camp of the Detroit Red Wings in the fall as a free-agent invitee. “It is nice to see his hard work in practice is paying off for him.”
As for the aforementioned Forrest, he has lost his last 3 starts for the Firebirds and given up 15 goals in the process.
Still, Forrest’s overall numbers are comparable to those put up by Hicks.
Thus far, in his rookie season in the OHL, Forrest — who starred for the Powassan Voodoos of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League in 2015-2016 — has a 6-7-0 record, 3.26 goals against average and .892 save percentage.
With a credible record of 14-12-2 in what is a hotly-contested Western Conference, Flint will undoubtedly need consistent goal-tending from both Hicks and Forrest if it is going to hold on to a playoff spot in a side of the OHL where 8 of the 10 teams are currently above the .500 mark.
PHOTO: Goalie Connor Hicks, in action for the Flint Firebirds. (Photo by Amanda Ray.)
Mr. Russon:
I wish that MLIVE.com gave us much coverage of the FIREBIRDS as you do.
Thanks!
… Agree 100 % . Keep up the good work Randy.
Garret Forest showed his vast ability’s during his 1 season in Powassan. It sounds like Flint has 2 very capable Goalies to get them into the O.H.L. Playoffs.