GRAND RAPIDS - Joe Hicketts got a taste of the NHL earlier this week, so his passion on the ice might be off the charts now that he's back with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

The fiery defenseman, in his second pro season, made a favorable impression in his debut with the Detroit Red Wings on Monday and was returned - as expected - Tuesday. He's expected back in the lineup Saturday when the Griffins host Rockford.

Blashill was complementary after the 5-foot-8, 177-pound Hicketts logged 15:13 of ice time and posted a plus-1 rating in the Red Wings' 3-0 home win against New Jersey.

"I thought he gave us what we needed ..." Blashill said. "I don't think this is the last we've seen of Joe Hicketts."

His welcome-to-the-NHL moment?

"Probably after the national anthem and they turned on the lights," Hicketts said. "It was the brightest rink I've ever seen. I was like, 'Wow, this is really happening.'"

A good game, parents on hand and some encouraging words? Hicketts had to soak it up, then reel it back in given the job at hand in Grand Rapids.

"It was great, and coming back, you bring a little confidence with you and, for me, a little more fire," Hicketts said after practice Friday. "Once you get a taste, it definitely makes you want to get back there."

Hicketts sat next Niklas Kronwell in the dressing room and was paired with Jonathan Ericsson on the blueline and got a pregame word from Blashill that helped overcome nerves before the game.

"Blash said, 'I don't want to tell you anything. I want you to go out there with what you know and do what you think will help this team win,'" Hicketts said. "That helped. I think that kind of calmed me down."

Hicketts returned to Grand Rapids on Tuesday and practiced Wednesday and Friday with a team day off Thursday. Coach Todd Nelson said he'll be paired with Dylan McIlrath.

"I think anytime someone comes back after playing their first game in the National Hockey League they come back with confidence and feeling good about things," Nelson said. "He's come back and he's been great. He had a lot of energy in practice today. The whole team did."

Hicketts, who has appeared in 43 games with eight points (2-6-8) and a minus-10 rating, said it won't be hard to regain focus and put the euphoria back in the bottle - for now.

"Not at all," he said. "Especially with all-star break coming (after Saturday). So, not only me, but all of us have to be ready for (Saturday). We've made a good push the past month."