Who’s This Guy? Seth Jones

• Jones, a defenseman for the Portland Winterhawks, finished fourth in WHL scoring among defensemen having played ten less games than the top-three. He added 15 playoff points on his way to the Ed Chenoweth Cup as well as four points in five Memorial Cup games. He also won gold at the World Juniors, the CHL Top Draft Prospect Award and the WHL Rookie of the Year trophy in 2012-13.

• A coveted blueliner whose maturity and poise have brought him rave reviews ever since he debuted with USNTDP program. In all likelihood, he will make his NHL debut next year no matter who picks him. Despite his big, tall frame, he moves very fluidly, jumps up into the play to make things happen while remaining solid defensively, and his slapshot is just one of his numerous lethal weapons. 

• His father Popeye is a former member of the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, but that does not necessarily mean the Colorado-connection will continue.
• His Portland Winterhawks were Memorial Cup finalists, losing 6-4 to the Halifax Mooseheads in the championship game. Jones scored a goal in the contest that pitted himself against Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin in what was probably the most-watched game by draft prospect enthusiasts this year.
• He was part of the Dallas Stars midget program and was its captain at the U-16 level. He was also a captain on Team USA’s U-18 squad in 2011-12 and an assistant-captain this year at the World Juniors.

• He was traded for four players en route to his Portland debut, as it was widely believed he would go the college route.
• He could be the first defenseman to be chosen first overall in the draft since the Blues selected Erik Johnson in 2006.
• He is a middle child, both his brothers having played hockey (or are still playing) as well.
• Joe Sakic was a factor in his hockey development (as well as making the decision to pursue hockey in the first place). The Colorado Avalanche’s Stanley Cup conquest didn’t hurt, either.

“The first time I saw him was the USHL fall classic two years ago. To say he stood out would be putting it mildly. He was dominant in the Czech Republic during the U18’s last year and kept it rolling this year. Seth’s combination of size and skill are what makes him so special. In one of many talks with NHL scouts about who’s number one, an NHL scout simply said to me that Jones was a man among boys at the World Juniors in Ufa and that is when he became his 1^st overall.”