AHL Norfolk Admirals

Lightning Return Center Blair Jones To Admirals

December 6, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


TAMPA BAY, Fla. - The Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL parent club of the Norfolk Admirals, have reassigned center Blair Jones to the Admirals, Lightning Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton announced today.

Jones, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound native of Central Butte, Saskatchewan, appeared in two games for the Lightning after being recalled on Friday. He recorded one shot on goal and averaged 12:43 in ice time per game. Jones has played in 26 career NHL games with the Lightning, recording a goal and three points. He was originally selected by Tampa Bay in the fourth round (102ndoverall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

Jones leads the Admirals in assists, is second in points and is tied for third in goals. The fourth-year pro has six goals and 13 assists in 25 games for the Admirals in 2009-10. His recall ended a stretch of 155 consecutive games played for Norfolk - the second-longest consecutive games played streak in AHL Admirals history.

Last season, Jones set career highs with 20 goals, 34 assists and 54 points in all 80 games. He ranked second in scoring, fourth in goals, second in assists and tied for second in power play goals (8) with Norfolk in 2008-09. He also established a new AHL Admirals franchise record with 271 shots on goal, ranking third in the American Hockey League.

Jones, 23, has appeared in 180 games with the Admirals over the past three seasons, tallying 40 goals and 75 assists for 115 points. He ranks ninth all-time in AHL Admirals points, seventh in assists and ninth in games played. Jones has appeared in 225 career AHL contests between Norfolk and the Springfield Falcons, recording 45 goals and 136 points.

Prior to turning pro, 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.

The Admirals are back in Norfolk as they prepare for a pair of home games against the Manitoba Moose this weekend. The puck drops at Scope on Friday and Saturday at 7:15 p.m. On Friday, the first 500 children age 12 and younger through the gates will receive a free Admirals youth jersey courtesy of ITAC and NewsChannel3. For details, please visit norfolkadmirals.com.

To purchase tickets to any Admirals game, you may visit the Scope Box Office weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., visit any Ticketmaster outlet, call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or visit Ticketmaster online at ticketmaster.com. Don't miss a minute of the action by purchasing your 2009-10 season tickets today. 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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American Hockey League Stories from December 6, 2009


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