Wayne Hicks facts for kids

Wayne Wilson Hicks (born April 9, 1937) is a former professional ice hockey player. He played as a right winger. Wayne was born in the United States but grew up in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. He played for several teams in the National Hockey League (NHL). These teams included the Chicago Black Hawks, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Philadelphia Flyers.

Wayne Hicks' Hockey Journey

Early Life and Start in Hockey

Wayne Wilson Hicks was born in Aberdeen, Washington. He later moved to Kelowna, British Columbia, where he was raised. His journey in professional hockey began in 1960. He played for various teams during his career.

Big Moments in the NHL

Wayne Hicks had some exciting moments in his career. In 1961, he played one game for the Chicago Black Hawks. This game was during the 1961 Stanley Cup Finals. His team won the Stanley Cup that year. This is one of the biggest trophies in hockey!

Hicks also made history with the Philadelphia Flyers. He was the very first American-born player to join the Flyers team. He was even part of the starting lineup for their first-ever regular-season game. This game was on October 11, 1967, against the California Golden Seals.

Another cool fact is that Wayne Hicks scored the first goal at the newly updated Madison Square Garden. This happened on February 18, 1968.

A Family Legacy in Hockey

Wayne Hicks is also known for his family connection to hockey. His son, Alex Hicks, also became a professional hockey player. Alex played for the Pittsburgh Penguins. When Alex played his first game for the Penguins, it was a special moment. It was the first time a father and son had both played for the Penguins team.

Awards and Achievements

Wayne Hicks earned some special recognitions during and after his career:

• He was a Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Black Hawks in 1961.
• In 2015, he was honored by being added to the Regional District of Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame.