A third generation hockey player is a rarity. For a women';s hockey player, it
is perhaps even more so. Standout Syracuse University forward Logan Hicks is
one of those very few - in addition to being an up-and-coming talent herself.
Hicks'; grandfather Wayne had his name inscribed on the Stanley Cup with the
1960-61 Chicago Blackhawks and was a first year player for both the Pittsburgh
Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers during the 1967-68 NHL season. Her father Alex
 - an assistant coach with the Arizona State University Sun Devils men';s
hockey team - played five seasons in the NHL and was a teammate of Mario
Lemieux, Ron Francis and Jaromir Jagr in Pittsburgh. It would be an
understatement to say that the younger Hicks comes from a strong hockey
pedigree - she absolutely does.Syracuse';s Logan Hicks doing a fine job of
screen the opposing goaltender (Photo Credit: Syracuse Athletics).

THW had an opportunity to speak with Hicks one-on-one and discuss her NCAA
hockey career through her first two seasons at Syracuse. With her junior and
senior seasons left to go, she has some definite goals in mind as to what she
would like to accomplish both academically and out on the ice. While her family
 is certainly proud of her achievements already, they will be even more so by
the time her career at Syracuse is wrapped up.Life Growing up in Arizona

Hicks is a native of Scottsdale, Arizona. While hockey roots may run very
deeply in her family, the sport is still not readily found in this neck of the
United States. Opportunities to play at an elite level needed to be sought
elsewhere, but more than anything else Hicks'; time spent training with her
father is what really helped her blossom into the player that she is today.

"Growing up I obviously spent a lot of time at the rink," Hicks recalled. "I
played with boys pretty much my whole life leading up until I played with the
Lady Blues. So I spent a lot of time in my home rink, Oceanside Ice Arena. I
did practices there pretty much everyday of the week in the summer. I did a lot
 of extra skills sessions with my dad at the rink. I definitely spent a lot of
time there."Logan Hicks corralling the puck at a CHA Championship tournament at
 the HarborCenter in Buffalo, NY (Photo Credit: Syracuse Athletics).

Hicks played her high school years in St. Louis with the Lady Blues U16 and U19
 teams. In her last season of play before college, she appeared in 24 games for
 the U19 Lady Blues, chipping in a pair of goals and a pair of assists. Given
the climate of Arizona, it is not one truly conducive for prolonged physical
activity outside. Hicks enjoyed her spare time playing recreational sports with
 her dad and the rest of her family, as well as cooling off in the more
elevated parts of Arizona.

"I spent a lot with my family," Hicks said about growing up in Scottsdale. "At
home me and my dad played ping-pong all the time. Just competitive games. We
played pool, ping-pong, stuff like that. In Arizona, everyone has a pool so I
swam a lot. It';s too hot to be outside," she laughed, "so that';s pretty much
only when I go outside. I had a cabin up in Show Low, Arizona. We';d go there
for a couple weeks at a time. There';s a lot of cool stuff to do there. I went
golfing a lot, played tennis, fishing, went to different lakes and went on
rope-swings. There are a lot of lakes in Arizona, so it was always fun to go up
 and get to do stuff that other people get to do in the summer because it';s a
little bit cooler and nicer out."Finding a Home With the Syracuse Orange

In a matter of weeks, Hicks'; junior year at Syracuse University will commence,
 as will her final two seasons of NCAA hockey. Attending the well-known school
in the western-central part of New York State has become a second home for her.
 It is a school rich with sports success, which is something that endeared her
to the school in the first place. Hicks ascertained early on that playing for
the Orange was meant for her.

"I was going to a tournament in Stony Brook," she remembered. "I had went to
national camp earlier in the year. They (Syracuse) got to watch me play, and
had reached out earlier that year. I told them I was going to be at Stony
Brook, so they said 'Well if you';re nearby, it';s only a few hours away -
definitely stop by for a visit.'; and so I did. I was with my mom, and so we
got a tour of the campus and got a look around the facilities. I honestly was
pretty young, but I knew really quick that it was the type of school I wanted
to be at."Logan Hicks makes a rush up ice for the Syracuse Orange (Photo
Credit: Syracuse Athletics).

The Syracuse women';s ice hockey team was first established in 2008. The team
competes in the College Hockey America (CHA), an NCAA Division-I women';s ice
hockey conference. Presently the CHA is comprised of six teams. In addition to
Syracuse, women';s teams from Robert Morris University, Mercyhurst University,
Lindenwood University, Penn State, and the Rochester Institute of Technology
(RIT) make up the competition. The conference has traditionally been stacked
with talent, as many of the women';s players have represented their respective
national teams and/or have gone on to play professionally. From Hicks';
perspective, there is no better program to be a part of than what Syracuse
provides for its athletes.

"Obviously this campus is incredible, it';s beautiful," she went on to say.
"The facilities here are unreal. I really love the coaching staff and just the
aspect of Syracuse how it';s a big school, a big sports school. It really has
everything that I was looking for. Even at a young age, I always really knew
what I wanted. It definitely fit the criteria. When the offer came around, I
obviously discussed it with my family but I was pretty sure that it was the
place I wanted to go. I';ve had no regrets, and have had the best times at the
best school for me for sure."Hockey Knowledge and Support From Her Family

Hicks'; father Alex played 258 regular season games in the NHL, spending time
with the Penguins, Florida Panthers, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, and the San Jose
Sharks. He also played professionally in Germany for six seasons as well. Now
he coaches at the NCAA-level and truly knows the college game in and out.
Likewise, her grandfather Wayne played 115 regular season games of his own for
the Blackhawks, Flyers, Penguins, Boston Bruins, and Montreal Canadiens. In
addition to having his name on the Stanley Cup with Chicago, he also played
parts of 17 years in the best minor leagues throughout North America. Hicks';
father and grandfather are a wealth of hockey knowledge which she relies upon
to this day.

"I definitely wouldn';t be playing hockey if it wasn';t for them," Hicks said
with great appreciation. "Growing up in Arizona, it';s not a hockey-hotbed by
any means. I was introduced to the sport by my dad and my grandfather. Growing
up here there';s not elite competition so I got most of my experience and most
of my reps in just by doing one-on-one type things with my dad. We worked
really hard in the summers. Getting shots in, working on different skills."The
Hicks Family from left to right: daughter Logan, father Alex, and grandfather
Wayne (Vince Richard/The Hockey Writers).

Alex Hicks is one of the few NHL players from his generation that ended up
making it to the league after playing four years of NCAA hockey. Not only does
he have the coaching knowledge from his work at Arizona State, but he also has
the firsthand experience from a player';s perspective after four seasons at the
 University of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the late-1980s and early-1990s. Now
that his daughter';s college hockey days are well underway, he has always been
just a phone call away for both guidance and support.

"But probably the most influential part that he';s given me is his wisdom and
his hockey knowledge," Hicks went on to say about her father. "He';s a really
smart guy, and so is my grandpa. They just really know a lot about the game,
and they also know a lot about sports in general. Just the mental ability to
play sports at a high level. Even since I';ve been at Syracuse they';re always
people that I can call and talk to to get advice on situations but also have
encouragement. My dad is probably my biggest supporter. He';s always been.
He';s really my rock. I call him whenever I need anything. But especially in
hockey he';s really been the main person that has impacted my career for
sure."Hicks'; Own Successes With the Orange

Through her first two NCAA seasons at Syracuse, Hicks has played in 60 games
total. After playing 24 contests during her freshman campaign, she really
started to hit her stride in her sophomore year. Playing 36 games this past
2017-18 season, Hicks scored her first goal of her college career on Nov. 17,
2017 against RIT. The very next day in a followup match against RIT she tallied
 her first career assist. Hicks has grown a great deal while getting these
first two seasons under her belt. There is good reason to think that her third
year will be her finest one yet.

"Going into my junior year it';s definitely two years having gone by and I have
 way more experience," Hicks explained. "I remember coming my freshman year and
 being super timid and super nervous. I definitely have a lot more confidence
now coming back. Super excited to be back on campus in a couple
weeks."Syracuse';s Logan Hicks doing her best to distract the opposing defense
(Photo Credit: Syracuse Athletics).

Hicks certainly recognizes that she has come a long way. Furthermore, she has
developed a sincere love and appreciation for what Syracuse provides her. When
speaking with her, one can tell she that pours her heart and soul into this
team, and that she is allowing the program';s positivity to envelope her in
return.

"I think that what I';ve learned overall is how much I love this school and how
 much I love the team. These past two seasons, even though they haven';t always
 gone our way and haven';t been what we wanted out of them, it definitely has
been really a great experience for me nonetheless. I';ve made such great
friends from my two past teams, and just learned so much from my coaches and
from my teammates. That';s what I take most out of it - that it';s just a lot
of learning lessons. There';s so much more that we';re capable of, and that
we';re just really excited to have a good season this year."Talking About
Attributes and Goals

Hicks is also a sizable skater. Standing at 5-foot-9, she blocked 15 shots
during the 2017-18 season. Separately, Hicks does not hesitate in shooting the
puck either. Playing a full 36 contests, she averaged a shot a game this past
year with 36 of them. During a 3-2 Orange win over Penn State on Jan. 19, 2018
she alone fired six shots on net. Hicks hustles with regularity and does her
utmost to get the job done.

"My work-ethic," she stated when asked about her best attributes as a hockey
player. "I really pride myself on working hard. Coming everyday to the rink or
to the gym. Pushing myself and pushing my teammates. I';d say probably that.
Always pushing myself and training. Trying to get better every single day. I
pride myself on being good defensively. I really hope that I can just build off
 of that this year, and work more on everything else. Just use that to my
advantage, and try to help our team as much as I can."Logan Hicks stickhandling
 as she moves with the puck up ice (Photo Credit: Syracuse Athletics).

While Syracuse has been a runner-up on multiple occasions, they have not yet
won a CHA Conference Championship. A few of their shortcomings have been
extremely close over the years, as they have been on the receiving end of both
overtime and double-overtime losses for the CHA championship. Hicks knows that
in order to win the CHA - and furthermore, have a shot at an NCAA national
championship - it takes a series of smaller victories and little achievements
that ultimately brings about the bigger, more spotlighted ones.

"In hockey, obviously the main goal is to win the National championship," Hicks
 stated. "That';s always been our goal, but that comes with a million different
 mini goals. To start, our first goal for the season will be to have a really
great start to the season. Finish strong at winter break, and then come back
and finish off our season well. Win our first CHA Championship, which would be
amazing for our program. We';ve been so close these past couple years, so
getting that done I know would add so much confidence to our team. After that,
in the NCAA tournament just take it game by game and really try to bring out
our best hockey at that time of the year. Once it';s down to the Frozen Four
it';s anyone';s game - it';s just who shows up that day. I know that we';re
definitely capable of doing that, and that would be an amazing thing for our
seniors. It sucks that we didn';t get that done last year or the year before
for our seniors. That';s something I really want to do for them. To make it
that far would be really cool."The Thought of Playing Professionally Someday

There is the obvious professional hockey history that runs through her family.
Separate from that, women';s hockey is presently at the strongest that it has
ever been. Most recently this stems from the success of Team USA winning the
gold medal over Canada at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. It also
coincides with both the NWHL and CWHL starting to gain more of the attention
that they deserve. Hicks certainly sees the value and importance over the
success that women';s hockey is experiencing right now.

"It';s really great to see," she said. "I love watching the Olympics. It';s
really fun for our team to be able to be together and watch that. We';re
definitely competitive on our team. We have Can-Am games during (Syracuse)
practices or during lifts. Our American team, we went undefeated this year so
it was good for us in an Olympic year. I think it';s great for the sport. I
love to see women';s sports grow in general, but it';s also really cool to see
women';s hockey grow as much as it has these past few years with these new
leagues. It';s really cool. And it';s been fun watching some of our alumni go
and getting success there. I know that they';ve enjoyed it a lot."

Syracuse alumni such as Jacquie Greco, Jessica Sibley, and Heather Schwarz have
 all made the jump from playing for the Orange in college to playing
professionally in the NWHL. Considering that former Syracuse players have done
it, and that both her father and grandfather played at that level, is playing
professional something that Hicks herself is eyeing?

"In regards to myself," she explained, "I';m not really sure where I';m going
to be at in two years. If it';s an option and I have the opportunity, then I
would obviously consider it. It';s a great opportunity, and something I';ve
always imagined myself as a player doing. I guess I would just have to see
time-and-place, if it worked out. I';m definitely considering going to grad
school after college. So I think if it worked out in that aspect, then yeah, I
would definitely consider it. I would just have to see where I';m at at that
point."Note to a Younger Self

Hicks is obviously kindhearted and well-spoken, but she also takes her sport
very seriously. Of her own admission, there were times in her life that she
took hockey too seriously. When things like that happen, something we love can
start to pass us by without the full enjoyment that it ought to bring us. At 20
 years old, Hicks is likely wise beyond her years. She has grown a lot and
believes that if she had any advice to give her younger self it would be to
enjoy hockey by not taking the fun out of it.

"I';m kind of a perfectionist, "Hicks told us, "and I';ve always taken hockey
really seriously. Which is definitely a good thing, but it also has its
drawbacks. Taking it really serious, and almost sometimes take the fun out of
it, because I';ve just rushed the process or never really took the time to
enjoy the process. Now as a college athlete I';m really enjoying the process
because I';m having a lot fun at Syracuse, and it';s what I';ve been working
for my whole life. Thinking back when I was 11 years old, I would want myself
to know that it';s fun at every stage. You';re not going to be playing hockey
forever. You';re going to be done in a few years, so just maybe take those
steps each step at a time and really enjoy it. Not wish it away."What Hicks Has
 Learned From Her DadLogan Hicks jockeying for position in a game against RIT
(Photo Credit: Syracuse Athletics).

Perhaps a lot of the reasoning behind Hicks being able to self-reflect and
being able to understand hockey on a very personal level is because of her
father. Alex Hicks has taught his daughter many things about this sport. While
all of them are valuable, some have rang more truer to her than others. The
younger Hicks reflected on some of the more important things she has learned
from her father.

"It';s a lot about mindset for me," she said. "Hockey is a mental game. I think
 one thing I';ve learned from him is just having that confidence. Using
confidence in your game and really trusting yourself as a player, as a person,
and as a teammate. That for me has made a big difference, especially coming to
college he reminded me a lot of that. Act like you belong. Know that you
belong. You';ve earned your way there. Have confidence, and play with
confidence. That has made a huge difference for me, especially in the last
couple of years at Syracuse, but through my life as well."

Coinciding with having confidence in herself, Logan Hicks also understands that
 there is a proper balance between being self-assured and being there for
others. So while she believes in herself the way that her family has helped
foster in her, she also plays the game to be of service to others. Hicks
garners respect and promotes it within the locker room. Soon to be a junior for
 the upcoming 2018-19 season, she is one of the Orange';s leaders now. A player
 such as herself is capable of impacting the atmosphere and the dynamics of her
 team in a most positive way. Something that Hicks does quite well. Again, she
attributes this ability back to her father.

"Another thing he';s taught me is just to always be a good teammate. Whether
things are going good or bad for me, the most important thing is just be a good
 teammate and support your teammates. If things are going bad for your whole
team, you have that ability to make a difference and really spike the change on
 the team."

The post Syracuse';s Logan Hicks Is a Third Generation Talent appeared first on
 The Hockey Writers.

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