WHEAT KINGS CAMP: Jones capitalizes on Calgary connection

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This article was published 09/09/2021 (1579 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Nick Jones couldn’t have found a much better person to skate with in Calgary the past couple of summers.

The netminder, who turns 17 in October and is in a four-way battle to earn the chance to back up Ethan Kruger for the Western Hockey League’s Brandon Wheat Kings, had the opportunity to share the ice in August with Dave Lowry, who hosts sessions for junior and pro players in Cowtown.

“It’s a great group and he’s a great coach,” Jones said of the sessions in his hometown. “He’s done everything he could to prepare me for this and now it’s up to me.”

Brandon chose him in the fifth round, 93rd overall, in the 2019 bantam draft, and signed him in December 2020. During the 2019-20 season, he played 21 games with the U16 AAA CBHA Rangers, where he posted a 3.16 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage.

Last season with the Calgary Buffaloes in the ultra-competitive Alberta U18 AAA Hockey League, he had a 1.50 goals-against average and a .945 save percentage.

“I played four games and won four games, so I couldn’t have asked for much better,” Jones said. “I ended with one shutout, which was good, but it felt really good and I feel like I put myself in a good spot to come out here and put up a fight for that position.”

His season ended in November due to the pandemic, but Jones didn’t stop working. He went to the gym five days a week and was able to get a lot stronger. He also did vision training, participated in some goaltending sessions and skated with Lowry.

In addition, he let himself have some time away from the rink, including a two-week holiday from the game this summer. Jones also rode his bike and played basketball with his friends.

“I got my mind off the game a little bit, which I always found was good,” Jones said. 

Jones has targeted improvement in playing the puck, something he used to consider a strength prior to the long period off the ice. If he sticks in Brandon, he’s eager to get to know his defencemen so that he can communicate well to them on the ice, and he’s also working on rebound control.

From skating at Lowry’s sessions in Calgary, Jones has learned how much better shooters get, something he’ll certainly face in the WHL.

“I’ve been lucky enough to skate with groups that are higher level than what I’ve been playing so I always found it’s just the release points,” Jones said. “You have to start reading and be quick and make adjustments. Me and goaltending coach Tyler Plante talked a lot over the last two days about depth, being outside my crease to make those saves. By the WHL standard I am a smaller guy — I’m only six feet or just over — so I have to play big. That’s my thing. Read the shots, be quick and play big.”

Jones said his strength is moving around the crease, which has been aided by the extra strength he acquired by working out over the last year. He said he also does a good job tracking the puck.

“My game is to get there square and make the easy save rather than make the desperation save, but I also have the ability to make that desperation save,” Jones said. 

He certainly does.

Jones made a circus save on Tuesday morning, when, after stopping the first two shots, the puck drifted out into the slot. Jones knew he was out of position and wouldn’t be able to reach the next shot with his glove, so he threw his blocker and stick out behind his back and had the puck hit the blade of his stick.

It was the sort of stop that makes an impression.

Jones is battling with a pair of bigger but younger goalies in Carter Capton (six-foot-two) and Carson Bjarnason (six-foot-three) — both were born in 2005 and are entering their 16-year-old seasons — plus 18-year-old Cole Plowman.

Plante had the chance to work with Jones when he attended the prospects and rookie camps in 2019 — Jones, who was born in October, was 14 then — and likes how his game is coming along. 

“Nick is very fast,” Plante said. “He doesn’t have the size of the other two guys but he makes up for it with his rebound control and his speed. He’s a competitor too. You never see him quit on a puck. He’s always ready to do what it takes. (Tuesday) I saw him make a spin-o-rama backhand paddle save. That’s something you can’t teach, to have that urgency and compete level to want to do whatever it takes to keep the puck out of the net.”

It’s no surprise to Jones that he’s the smallest of the goaltenders. He’s well aware of their talent, but is intent on earning the spot anyway.

“Everyone here is a good goalie and everyone has a chance at that spot,” Jones said. “It’s going to come down to who plays the best and who the coaches like the best. It will be a good week and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve gotten along with all the guys. We’re all out here having fun and just doing our thing.”

The backup job came open when Connor Ungar was traded to the Red Deer Rebels for big defenceman Mason Ward. 

Interestingly, Jones believes there will be more to making than roster than keeping the puck out of the net.

“It’s not just stopping the puck,” Jones said. “Obviously that’s the key role but it’s the habits, the off-ice stuff, taking care of your body and even just showing up to camp looking professional and ready to go. It’s the habits on the ice like helping pick up pucks and helping out the trainers when you can, little details that make a difference.”

This is the first opportunity for Jones to come and earn a job but he said the new motivation couldn’t change his approach, which remains simple.

“I come with the same mentality,” Jones said. “Even when I was 14 here, I was here to make an impression and just stop the puck. Nothing changes. I come into camp and go into the ice times ready to stop the puck and help my team win. It’s all straight forward stuff.”

 

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