Blair Jones played over 130 games in the NHL, with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Calgary Flames. He hopes the experience will benefit the next generation of players from behind the bench, assisting Stars' head coach Brett Parker. (Twitter/BattlefordsAAAStars)

By Martin Martinson

New Star in town

AAA Stars add former NHLer, Jones to coaching staff

Aug 22, 2019 | 3:01 PM

The Saskatchewan Midget Hockey League’s (SMHL) Battlefords AAA Stars have hired former NHLer Blair Jones as an assistant coach for the upcoming 2019-20 season.

Jones started his career in the SMHL, playing three games with the Tisdale Trojans during the 2002-03 season.

Following his brief stint with the team, Jones then moved on to the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League. After three seasons Jones finished his Junior career as a member of the Moose Jaw Warriors.

Jones played 132 games at the NHL level after he was drafted in the fourth round of the 2005 NHL Draft. He was selected #102 overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Following his North American pro career, in 2016-17, the forward moved to Germany to play in the DEL (German pro league) for two seasons, before calling it a career with a final season in the Czech League.

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All total, Jones is a veteran of over 660 games of professional hockey.

AAA Stars’ head coach Brett Parker said that experience is something that will prove invaluable to the team this fall.

“We’re really excited to have him on board,” Parker said. “I think his extensive experience at the pro level as well as through the junior ranks is going to add a lot of value to the program. Sharing that experience, knowledge and passion for the game will be huge with our young developing players to help them achieve their goals as they move along.”

While this season will serve as Jones’ first behind the bench, he said he is looking forward to the new opportunity ahead.

“I did have a desire to get into coaching, and working with kids is something I enjoy doing,” he said. “Hopefully I can pass on some of the stuff I have learned over the years to the boys on the team.”

Jones said most of all, he is looking forward to returning to the game he loves at a level where the game is still all about enjoyment. He said his Midget and Junior playing days were some of the most enjoyable of his career looking back.

Jones, who is from Central Butte and Parker, from Melville, knew each other well from their days playing minor hockey in the region.

After hanging up his skates at the conclusion of the 2018-19 season, Jones assisted Parker at the AAA Stars’ Spring camp in April. From there, Parker said it was an easy decision to offer Jones a position on the team’s staff.

Parker said Jones will be working primarily on the skill development side of things and on the special teams’ units. He said Jones’ skill and ability to build relationships with people should leave a positive impact throughout the roster.

“It should be a lot of fun because [Jones] is a calm, humble and knowledgeable person,” Parker said. “He is really looking forward to giving back to the game that has taken him to many different places throughout his career.”

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1