Buckeye Newcomer Spotlight: Nick Jones

Nick Jones - Sherwood Park Crusaders

DOB: June 2, 1996

5'11 / 174 lbs

Shoots: Right

Nick Jones tallied 41 goals and 31
assists this past season for Sherwood Park.
Photo Credit: ajhl.ca

With the top two point leaders from last year's team joining the professional ranks, the offensive burden falls even more on some of the more prominent scorers from last year's team: Tanner Fritz, Nick Schilkey, and Nick Oddo.

Although he played in eight less games during the 2013-14 campaign than the previous year, Fritz still produced eight goals and 24 assists.

Schilkey a Big Ten All-Rookie Team selection, made quite a statement in his first year wearing the scarlet and gray. He was the only OSU freshman to suit up for all 37 contests, he was the rookie leader in points with 26, and he was second on the team in goals with 13.

Oddo, who was named the Buckeyes' Unsung Player during the annual team awards this past week, exceeded expectations last season, putting up nine goals and 21 assists for a total of 30 points, all career highs.

However, as good as these three are, it takes a collective effort from everyone on the roster to be successful in the Big Ten Conference. Depth is key to a successful year (e.g., Minnesota).

Head coach Steve Rohlik will have to call upon some his incoming players right away to make an impact.

Arguably the most anticipated player being added to Rohlik's roster is forward Nick Jones. If you haven't heard his name before, learn it, and learn it well, because you're going to be hearing a lot of it.

Jones spent the past two seasons in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) with the Sherwood Park Crusaders.

Saying he was dominant this past season is a vast understatement.

The Edmonton, Alberta, native was tied for third in the league in points with 72, amassing 41 goals and 31 assists in the process despite playing seven less games than the league leader (Spencer Dorowicz) who had 75 points.

His 41 goals led the team while his 31 assists were second for a Crusader squad that was knocked out in the second round of the Gas Drive Cup Playoffs by eventual champion Spruce Grove.

Jones is described as “a hardworking, slick skating, two way forward that can contribute anywhere you place him on your roster and in any situation asked of him. He handles the puck and sees the ice well. Not an overly physical player but does venture into gritty areas to make plays.” (elite prospects)

His special teams ability is impressive as well.

Power play, penalty kill, you name it, Jones can do it. Nick led the league in power play goals with 16 and added a short handed goal last year.

It is all of these qualities that have allowed Jones to find himself potentially being drafted into the NHL in three weeks. He was ranked 158^th for North American skaters on NHL Central Scouting's 2014 final rankings.

If indeed he is taken in the draft, there's no telling if he will stay for four years.

All that can be said for now is that the goal judges working the red light district at Value City Arena better be prepared to turn the light on and the maintenance crew should have some extra light bulbs in storage.