Tuesday morning, Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion announced in a team release, “A devoted member of our family, Bob Jones, has been diagnosed with ALS. Bob and his family’s wishes are to take the courageous step of making his condition public in an effort to drive ALS awareness as he fights this disease.”
“We have been working internally with Bob and his family as he takes on this challenge; while Bob will continue with his coaching duties, he has the full support of the organization to take any time he needs away from the club during the season to concentrate on his health and his family.”
-
Ep 45: Canucks, Islanders, and The Boston Bruinsby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 6:26 am
In this episode, Jim and Chris discuss the latest with the Canucks, […]
When the email landed in my inbox, like others I was shocked and saddened by this news. Then I thought, during Jones’ four seasons as the club’s “eye in the sky,” I knew very little about the man who I passed most evenings in the press box hallway or spent a few seconds with on the postgame elevator ride down to the dressing room.
As a media member, other than polite chat, it’s rare that one converses with an assistant coach. So when Senators’ players and head coach D.J. Smith spoke about Bob Jones Tuesday, we learned a lot about the person who’s a confidant and mentor to the players, and a life-long friend to Smith.
Jones served 23 years as a coach in the Ontario Hockey League, including four as a head coach. Jones and Smith were paired as assistants on a strong Windsor Spitfire team that won Memorial Cups in back-to-back campaigns, 2009 and 2010.
Around Full Press Hockey
NHL: Paul Maurice: “It’s A Special Place And You Could Feel It”
NHL Rumors: NHL Rumors: Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, Colorado Avalanche
NHL: NHL Power Rankings: Devils Holding Onto The Top Spot
NFL: Remembering John Hadl: “A Great Player, A Great Athlete
Full Press Bets: Early 2022 NFL MVP Odds: Bills’ Josh Allen Favored
PODCAST: Full Press Hockey Weekly Ep 38: NHL Season Preview: Golden Knights, Maple Leafs, Johnny Gaudreau
Jones also replaced Smith as head coach of the Oshawa Generals in 2015-16 when he left to join the Toronto Maple Leafs as an assistant to Mike Babcock.
Smith said of his friend and colleague post-practice, “It’s tough. I coached with him for a few years in Windsor. I’ve known him for a long time. Players love him…He’s just a guy that’s cared about players for decades. I was talking to him today about some of the players today he coached that are in the NHL, Brent Burns, (Marc) Staal, Joe Thornton, and all the way back to the guys that were in Windsor, (Taylor) Hall, (Ryan) Ellis, (Adam) Henrique, (Cam) Fowler – all those guys. And every guy when they come across him really likes him. He’s a funny guy, but really does care about the players.”
“Horrible news and he wants to be around, I think for his mental health, being around, joking with the guys. And just keeping his spirits up, rather than go home and deal with it there. He has the freedom to come and go. At this point, he’s at the rink. He’s dealing with it as best he can.”
Smith commented on the importance of Jones to the team and its players, “He’s the “eye in the sky” during games. He has been on the bench. He’s also subbed in for Jack (Capuano). He’s run the D for years in the OHL. But most importantly, he’s there mentally for the players. I don’t know how many times he’s come to me when a guy’s been scratched and says, “This guy’s ready.” He cares for them as people. The part that everyone misses when their done playing is the camaraderie, the joking around, those kind of things. And he’s able to do that with players in a non-stressful way that allows the guy to think outside the box and feel better, be able to get back to playing quicker.”
“People say that he’d tell me, he didn’t tell me (things). He has a bond with the players. What I don’t need to know. I don’t need to know. And I think with today’s player. it’s invaluable that you have someone that the players feel they can talk to about any situation rather than waiting 20 games and it affecting them mentally, health-wise, depression, anxiety, all those things. A guy like “Jonesie” was years ahead of his time when it comes to dealing with players.”
Senators’ forward Austin Watson played under Jones for two seasons with Spitfires and has known the Tecumseh, ON resident since he was 16 years old.
“It hits you pretty hard…I’ve known “Jonesie” for a long time. I met him when I was a kid, still maturing, trying to find who I was an adult, as a potential pro hockey player. “Jonesie” is always there for the players. No questions are out, thick and thin. He’s a guy, even in my time here, he’s a guy I go to when my game is not going good, when mentally you get in a rut. He has such a great outlook on life and the game. To have him have to bear something like that it hurts. You feel pretty shitty. For us as a group here, all we can do is be supportive, and try to bring a good attitude… At the same it makes you really appreciate what you are doing in life on a daily basis. You go through some tough stretches, especially in this industry, the doom and gloom. It’s so catastrophic when you lose two games in a row, but here’s “Jonesie” coming to work with what’s really a shitty situation – makes you think and hopefully perspective changes, everything in the way you look at it.”
“He’s charismatic. He’s humourous. He’s able to relate on whatever level. The people that are being supportive, that can lift other people up, can just relate. And “Jonesie” has been able to do that for as long as I have known him,” added Watson.
Per the Senators’ media release, Jones wanted to share his recent diagnosis publicly to raise awareness for ALS research and his family, wife, Paige and daughters, Blake and Brianna have asked: “that those considering contributions consider both the ALS Society of Canada and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.”
The Full Press Hockey family sends encouragement and positive thoughts to Bob Jones and his family in his brave fight ahead.
-
Ep 42: Going Streaking, 84 Game Schedule, Ovechkin Watch, Holiday Funby Full Press Coverage on December 22, 2022 at 5:50 pm
In this episode, Jim and Chris talk notable point streaks in the NHL, the […]
-
Ep 41: Alex Ovechkin, Playoff Expansion, and Moreby Full Press Coverage on December 15, 2022 at 2:27 am
Jim and Chris are back to discuss Alex Ovechkin's 800th goal, potential […]
-
Ep 40: Borje Salming Passing; Kris Letang, Roope Hintz, Top 5 Teamsby Full Press Coverage on December 2, 2022 at 12:45 am
Jim Biringer and Chris Wassel are back for another edition of Full Press […]
-
Ep 39: The NHL Has A Problemby Full Press Coverage on November 10, 2022 at 12:30 pm
Mike and Jim are back to discuss all the latest from around the NHL.
-
New Jersey Devils and NHL Talkby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 8:00 am
Jim is back once again joined by Vox NHL Analyst Bruce Zeman to discuss […]
-
The Mess That Is The Vancouver Canucksby Full Press Coverage on January 23, 2023 at 8:00 am
Jim is back once again joined by Chris Wassel as they break down the mess […]
-
Ep 79: Bruins Are A Wagon, Pastrnak Contract, Krejci, Trade Deadlineby Full Press Coverage on January 18, 2023 at 6:35 pm
Ian and Chris evaluate the red-hot Bruins halfway through the season. In […]
-
Ep 78: Mitchell Miller Fiasco Reaction; What Do The Bruins Do Next?by Full Press Coverage on November 7, 2022 at 10:37 pm
Ian and Chris react to the Mitchell Miller signing fiasco and discuss what […]
-
S4Ep17 - Road Warriors - Devils, Kraken, Bruins, and Golden Knightsby Jim Biringer on January 24, 2023 at 7:00 am
Jim is back for a fourth season of the Final Word of Hockey with NHL […]
-
S4Ep16 - Consistency - Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Colorado Avalanche and Florida Panthersby Jim Biringer on January 16, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim is back for a fourth season of the Final Word of Hockey with NHL […]
-
Episode #126: Re-Ranking the Reign Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 8:28 am
On this episode of The Calder Farmstead, Sean and Sarah have another trade […]
-
Episode #125: Rockford Offseason Makeover Successesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 5:04 pm
On this edition of The Calder Farmstead, Sean and Sarah discuss the news […]