My Brief Encounter with a Monster: Seth Jones

The 2013 NHL draft class has been shaping up to be one of the deepest and most talented in recent memory. The debate over who was going to be this years top draft eligible player had started during last years junior hockey season when draft prospect aficionado's saw two can't miss prospects emerging out of the prospect crop. They were Halifax Mooseheads forward Nathan MacKinnon and former USNTDP defenseman, and current Portland Winterhawk, Seth Jones. The way these debates generally unfold, see the forward, generally a more "sexy" pick being selected first overall in the annual June entry draft. Seth Jones however, is bringing sexy back for all young defenseman with dreams of going first overall in the NHL entry draft.

Prior to the CHL's top prospects game here in Halifax on January 16th, I had only seen Seth Jones play on a few occasions, the 2012 IIHF U18 championships, in which he won a gold medal, and over the past holiday season in Ufa Russia as he played for the U20 USA world junior team which resulted in his 2nd gold medal in the past 12 months. Up close and personal however, is the best way to form an impression of a young hockey player. What I saw during practices and during the game itself however, was not a young hockey player! I saw a physically and mentally mature 18 year old man child of a hockey player. What many who haven't had extended looks at Jones may not realize is how much more there is to his game than just his combination of size and skill. He has poise that you can see through out his game, in all areas of the ice. His ability to turn smart defensive decisions into transition opportunities that he then finishes in the offensive end is a rare find even in today's NHL. I have also seen a consistency that can be difficult for teenage hockey players to maintain. Not to mention that the consistency he is maintaining, is coming at an elite output. 

It's not always necessary with defensemen to start riling off statistical outputs because their game often requires deeper analysis then just goals and assists. But in the interest of attempting to do both while we discuss Jones, let’s look at his numbers over the past two years. 

Last season as a 16 year old, he captained his USNTDP team which plays in the USHL. He managed 4 goals and 8 assists (12pts) over 20 games. With the USDP U18 team including their gold medal world U18 championship games he played another 58 games, putting up 11 goals, 28 assists (39pts). He also captained that gold medal winning team. Jones had a successful stint with the development program to say the least. During the summer of 2012, Seth decided to take his talents to Portland Oregon; doesn’t quite have the same ring to it as South Beach. Since joining the Winterhawks Jones has scored 8 goals, 20 assists for 28 pts in 31 games. His best per game point totals since his midget hockey years which were played in Texas. He has only played in those 31 CHL games thus far due to some time off he needed to go average a point a game at the World Juniors. 

So I ask you to digest those numbers and then put it in perspective his measurable's, intelligence, clear leadership qualities and athleticism and ask yourself what's missing? My answer is nothing. Seth Jones appears to be a generational type defenseman that only comes along so often. The case could be made that a player like this has never come along. That's not hyperbole, I challenge you show me one that excelled in this many different areas of hockey. Prior to the spring of 2012 I admittedly was in the same category as many other hockey fans, even the hardcore ones who follow the emergence of young hockey talent like I normally do, with only hearing the "hype" around Seth Jones. Well the funny thing about hype is, when it crosses paths with reality, you quickly learn the that what you thought was hype, was actually just your own delayed confirmation of the truth. Living in Halifax, and being a Mooseheads season ticket holder I've long known that from the first spark of hockey magic Nathan MacKinnon made, he was going to be a special player. The story of Seth Jones is just now starting to reach the eyes and ears of Canadian Hockey fans. We like to cheer for our own, and believe me, I do. But I can't go on any longer denying the truth, and passing it off as hype. Seth Jones is the best pound for pound, skill for skill hockey player eligible for the 2013 NHL draft and I fully expect his name to be the first one called in June, hopefully for the NHL's sake, it's not by the Edmonton Oilers.   

Nathan MacKinnon and Seth Jones teams (Halifax Mooseheads and Portland Winterhawks) currently sit #1 and #2 respectively in the CHL national rankings. - Monday January 28th, 2013.