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AHL Norfolk Admirals

Lightning Re-Sign One of Admirals Top Scorers

July 16, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


NORFOLK, Va. - The Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL parent club of the Norfolk Admirals, have re-signed center Blair Jones and right wing Lauri Tukonen, Lightning Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton announced today. Jones finished as the Admirals' second leading scorer last season and was the only player to appear in all 80 games.

Jones, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound native of Central Butte, Saskatchewan, set career highs with 20 goals, 34 assists and 54 points in 80 games for the Admirals last season. He ranked second in scoring, fourth in goals, second in assists and tied for second in power play goals (8) with Norfolk. He also established a new AHL Admirals franchise record with 271 shots on goal, ranking third in the American Hockey League.

Jones, 22, has appeared in 155 games with the Admirals over the past two seasons, tallying 34 goals and 96 points. He ranks 12th all-time in AHL Admirals scoring and is just four points away from becoming the tenth player to record 100 points in his AHL Admirals career. Jones has appeared in 200 career AHL contests between Norfolk and the Springfield Falcons, recording 39 goals and 117 points.

Jones was originally selected by Tampa Bay in the fourth round (102nd overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He has appeared in 24 career National Hockey League contests with the Lightning, recording one goal and three points.

Jones played in 249 career games in the Western Hockey League with Moose Jaw and the Red Deer Rebels. He scored 61 goals and handed out 112 assists during his junior career. He appeared in 56 playoff games and scored 13 goals while tallying 35 points. His team made the postseason in each of his four WHL seasons.

Tukonen, a 6-foot-2, 198-pound native of Hyvinkaa, Finland, skated in 35 games in the Finnish Elite League last season. He scored five goals and 13 points in 21 games with Ilves Tampere while netting three goals and eight points in 14 games with Lukko Rauma. The Lightning acquired Tukonen's rights from the Dallas Stars last November in exchange for defenseman Andrew Hutchinson.

Originally drafted 11th overall by Los Angeles in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Tukonen, 22, has skated in five career games with the Kings (2006-07 and 2007-08). He has appeared in 185 career American Hockey League games with the Manchester Monarchs, tallying 36 goals, 103 points and 74 penalty minutes.

Tukonen skated in three World Junior Championships for Finland from 2004-2006, collecting Bronze Medals in 2004 and 2006. In 2006, he finished third in tournament scoring with three goals and 10 points in seven games. Last July, he was traded to Dallas by Los Angeles in exchange for Richard Clune.

Don't miss a minute of the action by purchasing your 2009-10 season tickets today. Affordable monthly payment plans are available for a limited time only! Stop by the Admirals' Administrative Offices at Scope, call (757) 640-1212 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or visit norfolkadmirals.com anytime!

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