On Jan. 28, Sun Devil hockey assistant coach and former NHL player Alex Hicks did what one of the hundreds of thousands of people do every year in the United States: he gained his U.S. citizenship.
Hicks, who was born in Calgary, Alberta, grew up around a family that was predominately American.
“My dad was born in the states,” Hicks said. “He lost his American citizenship back in the ’70s. He had to choose (whether to be) Canadian or American. He was married to my mom — who’s Canadian — so he chose that way.”
His father, Wayne, who was born in the state of Washington, also played professional hockey for several NHL and American Hockey League organizations.
As Hicks ended his amateur hockey career with the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1992 and turned the page to professional hockey, his dad realized he could regain his U.S. citizenship. After becoming a U.S. citizen again, Hicks' father sponsored his green card, which helped Hicks get an edge over other athletes in the NHL system.
“My first year in the (East Coast Hockey League), they thought I was Canadian, which I was,” Hicks said. “There was a rule that you had to have 10 Americans in the lineup every night, but because I had a green card, I was considered an American for that purpose.
“It kind of made me more valuable, because I wasn’t taking up an ‘import’ spot ... it gave me an opportunity to be in the lineup because they needed so many Americans.”
His success in the ECHL translated to the AHL and eventually the NHL, with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks and Florida Panthers.
Although the roster regulations of the ECHL dubbed Hicks an American, he legally wasn’t. He knew that, in the eyes of the United States government, he wasn’t a U.S. citizen. After several years with a green card, he decided it was time to apply for U.S. citizenship.
“My wife is American,” he said. “All three of my kids are American. My mom and dad are both American (now). My brother is American. My wife had been kind of ‘on’ me for the last 20 years just to kind of go through the whole process.”
After starting the application process last spring, Hicks registered online, participated in several interviews and took the final citizenship test a few weeks ago.
“It seems like I’ve been American my whole life,” Hicks said. “(But) I obviously have allegiance to Canada.”
His ties to Canada extend beyond his family roots and include his loyalty to Canadian sports, especially hockey.
“It seems like I’ve been American my whole life." — Alex Hicks, on being a U.S. citizen.
Who will he cheer for?
“I don’t know yet,” Hicks quipped. “I always rooted for the United States in all the Olympic games except for ice hockey ... I’ve also played for Team Canada, too. We will see moving forward; I don’t have an answer.”
ASU hockey head coach Greg Powers also joked about which country Hicks will support when it comes to sports.
“It’s going to be interesting to see who he cheers for now,” Powers said. “We’re happy for him and it has been a long time coming ... I’m sure he’s glad that’s behind him.”
Hicks' citizenship means more than what nation he roots for in hockey. Senior defensemen Brinson Pasichnuk, a Bonnyville, Alberta, native, understands the process that Hicks has been going through since last year.
"I always knew he was working on getting it," Pasichnuk said. "When it did happen, the whole team was just so excited for him because we know how much he wanted it. He definitely deserves it."
Hicks' visit to the immigration office last week was more than just a social gathering — it was the starting point of Hicks' life as a legal U.S. citizen.
“The stories a few of them (had) ... made me realize how valuable and how important it is to be an American and what a great country this is," Hicks said.
Now, with the official title of American, Hicks looks forward to living the rest of his life as a legal U.S. citizen.
“It was emotional," Hicks said. "The people around me were tearing up, and they were singing this song. It was like, ‘hey, you’re American, you’re officially American.’ My kids are American and love the United States and obviously my wife does, and now I feel that I am officially an American ... I can wave the flag proudly and call myself an American.”
Reach the reporter at aklatsky@asu.edu and follow @averyklatsky on Twitter.
Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on Twitter.
