Keith Jones (ice hockey)

Summary

Keith Jones (born November 8, 1968) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He was a hockey studio analyst for NBC/NBCSN from 2005–2021 and TNT from 2021-2023. He currently works as the President of Hockey Operations for the Philadelphia Flyers. In 491 NHL games, Jones produced a total of 258 points between 1992 and 2000.

Keith Jones
Jones at the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals
Born (1968-11-08) November 8, 1968 (age 55)
Brantford, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb)
Position Right wing
Shot Left
Played for Washington Capitals
Colorado Avalanche
Philadelphia Flyers
NHL Draft 141st overall, 1988
Washington Capitals
Playing career 1992–2000

Minor Hockey edit

Keith grew up in Brantford - the hometown of Wayne Gretzky. He played minor hockey for the Paris Wolfpack of the OMHA until Midget before two seasons playing Jr.C. for the Paris Mounties (OHA) at age 17 and 18.

It is believed[by whom?] that Jones is the only player to play Jr.C. level hockey in Ontario at age 18 and eventually crack the National Hockey League. Two others, Hunter Drew (Anaheim) and Ryan Jones (no relation - Edmonton) played Jr.C. at 17 and eventually cracked the NHL. Jones played Midget at 16, Jr.C. at 17 and 18 and then Jr.B. at age 19.[1]

At age 19 he moved up to the Niagara Falls Canucks of the Golden Horseshoe Jr.B. hockey league. It was in Niagara Falls that he secured a hockey scholarship to Western Michigan in 1988.

Playing career edit

Jones was drafted in the seventh round, 141st overall, of the 1988 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals. He played his college hockey at Western Michigan University, and professionally for the Capitals, Colorado Avalanche and Philadelphia Flyers. He played in 491 NHL games, scoring 117 goals and assisting on 141 others for a total of 258 points.

While playing with the Flyers, Jones is credited with likely saving Eric Lindros' life by insisting the team send him to the hospital following an injury that caused Lindros to lose three liters of blood overnight.[2]

Sportscasting career edit

Beginning with the 2005–06 season, Jones has worked as an in-studio TV analyst alongside host Bill Clement and analyst Brian Engblom for the NHL on NBC (formerly the NHL on Versus) later host Liam McHugh, Mike Milbury, and Patrick Sharp. In addition to his duties at NBC/NBCSN, Jones also worked for NBC Sports Philadelphia as a color commentator and analyst for the Flyers.

In fall 2021, Jones joined TNT/TBS as the lead ice-level analyst joining the lead broadcast team of Kenny Albert and Eddie Olczyk.[3][4][5]

From 2002 until 2023, Jones was a co-host for the show on 94.1 WIP Morning Show.[6] When the show's longtime host, Angelo Cataldi retired, Jones also retired citing a hectic schedule calling hockey games. He made appearances on TSN as an NHL analyst. In 2007, Jones, along with ESPN SportsCenter anchorman John Buccigross, wrote his autobiography Jonesy: Put Your Head Down and Skate. Along with a foreword by Ray Bourque, the book recounts many of the stories that Jones witnessed throughout his career.

Management career edit

On May 11, 2023, Jones was named the President of Hockey Operations for the Philadelphia Flyers after the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals on TNT.[7][8][9][10][11]

Thoroughbred racing edit

Keith Jones was one of the partners that owned Wild Desert, winner of the 2005 Queen's Plate.[12] Canada's most prestigious Thoroughbred horserace and the oldest continuously run event in North America, the Queen's Plate is the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown series.[13]

Jones is a resident of Shamong Township, New Jersey.[14]

Career statistics edit

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1985–86 Paris Mounties NDJCHL 30 26 13 39 61
1986–87 Paris Mounties NDJCHL 30 39 38 77 136
1987–88 Niagara Falls Canucks GHL 40 50 80 130 113
1988–89 Western Michigan University CCHA 37 9 12 21 65
1989–90 Western Michigan University CCHA 40 19 18 37 82
1990–91 Western Michigan University CCHA 41 30 19 49 106
1991–92 Western Michigan University CCHA 35 25 31 56 77
1991–92 Baltimore Skipjacks AHL 6 2 4 6 0
1992–93 Baltimore Skipjacks AHL 8 7 3 10 4
1992–93 Washington Capitals NHL 71 12 14 26 124 6 0 0 0 10
1993–94 Portland Pirates AHL 6 5 7 12 4
1993–94 Washington Capitals NHL 68 16 19 35 149 11 0 1 1 36
1994–95 Washington Capitals NHL 40 14 6 20 65 7 4 4 8 22
1995–96 Washington Capitals NHL 68 18 23 41 103 2 0 0 0 7
1996–97 Washington Capitals NHL 11 2 3 5 13
1996–97 Colorado Avalanche NHL 67 23 20 43 105 6 3 3 6 4
1997–98 Hershey Bears AHL 4 2 1 3 2
1997–98 Colorado Avalanche NHL 23 3 7 10 22 7 0 0 0 13
1998–99 Colorado Avalanche NHL 12 2 2 4 20
1998–99 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 66 18 31 49 78 6 2 1 3 14
1999–2000 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 57 9 16 25 82 18 3 3 6 14
2000–01 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 8 0 0 0 4
NHL totals 491 117 141 258 765 63 12 12 24 120

Awards and honours edit

Award Year
All-CCHA First Team 1991–92

References edit

  1. ^ Han, Giana (May 11, 2023). "10 things to know about Keith Jones, the Flyers' new president of hockey ops". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  2. ^ "Lindros letters expose feud". The Globe and Mail. June 8, 2000. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  3. ^ "Gretzky joins Turner Sports as NHL studio analyst". NHL.com. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  4. ^ Chiari, Mike (May 26, 2021). "Wayne Gretzky, Kenny Albert, Eddie Olczyk Join Turner Sports' NHL Coverage Team". Bleacher Report. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  5. ^ "Turner Sports Bolsters NHL Game and Studio Commentator Team | Pressroom". pressroom.warnermedia.com. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  6. ^ Tornoe, Rob (February 17, 2023). "After three decades, WIP's Angelo Cataldi hosts his final show". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  7. ^ Reiner, Olivia (May 10, 2023). "Source: Flyers to hire former player Keith Jones as president of hockey operations". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  8. ^ Smith, Brian. "A Familiar Night, In Many Ways". NHL.com. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  9. ^ "Keith Jones Gets Granted Time Away From New Job With Flyers". FlyersInsider. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  10. ^ Bausman, Chuck (2023-05-17). "Flyers President Keith Jones Finishing His TNT Gig? Bravo!". Philly Hockey Now. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  11. ^ REEDY, JOE. "TNT readies for first Stanley Cup Final; first one exclusively on cable since 1994". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  12. ^ "Woodbine.com 2018 Woodbine Media Guide" (PDF). Woodbine.com. Archived from the original on 15 October 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  13. ^ "Thoroughbred Report - Frequently Asked Questions - Horse Racing History, etc". www.thoroughbredreport.com. Archived from the original on 15 June 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  14. ^ Leakan, Paul. "Reeve Paralysis Foundation cause hits home Med. Lakes family to host fund-raiser", Burlington County Times, March 6, 2005. Retrieved February 4, 2013. "Dana Reeve, country-music star Kenny Rogers, Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jon Runyan, who lives in Mount Laurel, and former Philadelphia Flyers right-winger Keith Jones, a resident of Shamong, are among those scheduled to attend, Miles said."

External links edit

  • Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database