David Jones, Re-Introducing Your Calgary Flames
By Len Nunes
Jan 24, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames right wing David Jones (54) celebrates goal by Calgary Flames defenseman T.J. Brodie (not pictured) during the third period against the Nashville Predators at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
I still believe that IF, and I know that’s a BIG IF, David Jones can play in 70 plus games, he can score 20 goals in a season. Am I crazy?? Here is a look at the history of a player who’s name happens to double as one of my favourite all time songs.
During the 2003 NHL Draft, David Jones was the 5th last name called, 288th overall, by the Colorado Avalanche.
The Hobey Baker Award is an annual award given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s ice hockey player. In 2006-07, David Jones was one of the finalists for the award.
February 17, 2008 David Jones became a regular in the Colorado Avalanche. In his second season in the NHL, Mr. Jones was limited to 40 games in large part due to a shoulder injury sustained on January 27th while playing the San Jose Sharks. Weeks later, the Colorado Avalanche shut him down for the season:
"Fri, Feb 20, 2009: David Jones underwent shoulder surgery on Wednesday and will be gone for the remainder of the season.Jones is a promising 24-year-old who will now have to wait until training camp to prove himself again. Source: Rocky Mountain News"
David Jones third season in the NHL was limited to 23 games in large part due to a knee injury sustained on November 28th while playing the Minnesota Wild.
"Sun, Nov 29, 2009: David Jones will miss the remainder of the regular season after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee on Saturday night.Jones sustained the injury when Minnesota forward Chuck Kobasew fell onto his leg at the Colorado blueline late in the third period. He is expected to undergo surgery and miss the next four-to-six months. Jones was second on the Avalanche with 10 goals this season in 23 games. He was clicking well with Colorado center Paul Stastny, but will likely have to wait until next season before he can play again unless the team goes deep into the playoffs. Source: Denver Post"
In both the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons, David Jones was able to play in 70+ games each year. You know what happened? Mr. Jones scored 20+ goals both times!!
If the NHL lockout that shortened the 2012-13 season affected any NHL player, it was David Jones. Well, that’s what I blame for the sub-par numbers during the lockout season but many blamed the fresh new 4 year/16 million dollar contract. Jones would play 33 games and collect a measly 9 points while also posting his worst plus/minus of his career, finishing at -11.
The Calgary Flames acquired David Jones on June 27th, 2013.
Our Calgary Flames got the best and worst of David Jones in their first month of his services. Jones would score 2 goals and 2 assists in his first three games as a Calgary Flame and then get injured in his fourth game and miss two weeks of action. After going through a December to forget with only one assist in 13 games, Jones found himself on the IR again in January. This return from the IR saw Jones collect 4 points in 8 games leading into the Olympic break. After the Olympic break, Jones only played three more games before losing the rest of the season to a shoulder injury.