Blair Jones

Name: Blair Jones
Position: Center
Shoots: Left
Height: 6.02
Weight: 195 lbs
Born: 9/27/86
Acquired: 2005 Entry Draft, 4th Round, 102 Overall

Junior Career
Jones was selected in the 6th round, 114th overall, in the 2001 WHL Bantam Draft by the Red Deer Rebels. After spending the 2001-2002 season in bantam, Jones made hos major junior debut with the Rebels in 2002-2003 potting 3 goals with 7 points in 37 games as a rookie. In 2003-2004 he more than quadrupled that modest input with 9 goals and 31 points in 72 games. Entering his draft year in 2004-2005 Jones was rated the 3rd best prospect in the WHL in the NHL Central Scouting Service's preliminary rankings. Jones did not break out as expected though under coach Rich Sutter and after scoring 7 goals and 25 points in 39 games with Red Deer he was dealt at midseason to the Moose Jaw Warriors. Jones ended the year with a total of 14 goals and 50 points in 68 games before having a good playoff run with 2 goals and 7 points in 5 games. By season's end he was ranked the 33rd best skater in North America by the NHL Central Scouting Service and in the summer the Lightning selected him in the 4th round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. In the Fall, Jones played well for the Lightning at the 2005 Traverse City prospect tournament notching 2 goals and 4 points in 4 games before returning to Moose Jaw. With the Warriors, was an important cog in their offensive juggernaut. He finished 6th in the WHL in scoring and tied for 5th in assists and was named a Second Team WHL Eastern Conference All Star.

Professional Career
Jones surprised the Lightning front office by being one of the last cuts after a strong training camp in Tampa. Jones was assigned to Springfield of the AHL to begin his rookie season of professional hockey. After a strong opening month to the season with the Falcons, Jones fizzled offensively and finished with 5 goals and 21 points with 36 penalty minutes and a -15 rating. Jones received multiple injury callups during the season and made his NHL debut on November 20th, 2006 in Buffalo. Two nights later in Florida Jones scored his first NHL assist on a Ryan Craig goal in a 6-4 win over the Panthers. Jones scored his first NHL goal on February 6th, 2007 at home against the LA Kings. In 20 games with the Lightning Jones had 1 goal and 3 points with 2 penalty minutes and an even rating. Jones was assigned to Norfolk of the AHL at the start of the 2007-2008 season after a brief stint in Lightning camp. The young center spent most of the season playing around 20 minutes a night for the Admirals in all situations. Jones was recalled briefly in December, and was scoreless and even in 4 games with the Lightning. In an up and down season in Norfolk, Jones finished with 14 goals and 42 points in 75 games with 50 penalty minutes and a -22 rating.

Talent Analysis
Pros:
Jones has a very good offensive skill-set to go along with a sound recognition of his defensive responsibilities. He passes the puck well, has an above average slapshot, and possesses a heavy wrist shot. A gritty player with good size, Jones doesn’t hesitate to go to high traffic areas or battle along the wall. Jones also likes the physical side of the game and is a tenacious forechecker with a knack for keeping puck possession down low in the offensive zone.

Cons:
Jones' biggest Achilles heel is his lack of consistency from night to night. Jones has a laid back personality and has fought a reputation throughout his career for not always approaching each game with the same level of intensity. Jones also needs to continue to improve his skating which is only average at best at this juncture.

Future
Jones projects as a third line center with second line upside who can play well in all three zones.

Statistics Courtesy hockeydb.com

Profile Created 3/6/06 by Pete Choquette and Chad Schnarr