WHL: Me and Mr. Jones

Blair Jones joined Moose Jaw in a trade from the Red Deer Rebels and seemed to spark the Warriors in their push to making the playoffs. We have scouting notes from a recent game featuring Jones and some of his teammates.

Kenndal McArdle (2005), LW

There are still some holes in his game, but overall he is a solid prospect .. shook off a hard hit along the wall .. pounced on a loose puck at center ice, made a few moves to gain the offensive zone with relative ease and then slid it crisply to an open linemate for a scoring chance .. played on a line with Dustin Boyd and Steven Gillen .. conscientious defensively and generally keeps his man in front of him .. uses his skating prowess when killing a penalty to put pressure on the man at the point .. active stick in traffic .. displays the ability to beat and thus forces defenders to back off a bit or risk being beaten outside .. wasn't able to slip a pass by the lone defenseman on an odd man rush .. uses imagination in the offensive zone .. takes the body, although needs to work on his technique to become a more punishing hitter .. failed by a few feet to lead a teammate with a pass as the latter was driving in on goal .. has the ability to elude defensive coverage and find the holes .. doesn't hesitate to play in traffic and is effective digging for pucks along the boards .. his work ethic is one of the many bright spots of his game.

Blair Jones (2005), C

Seemed to lack a certain spark in this game .. centered a line of Masi Marjamaki and Troy Brouwer .. finished a check behind the opposition's net with a solid hit .. conscientious defensively and is keenly aware of picking up his man .. accepts the pass with ease .. displays patience when stickhandling in traffic .. played the point on occasion during the powerplay .. powerful blast created a scoring chance when the goalie wasn't able to properly control the rebound .. supports the puckcarrier by getting open .. at times appears to lack determination to get in to the play .. blocked a point shot without leaving his feet .. will need to improve his ability to handle the physical aspects of the game .. lacks the acceleration and overall speed to bring people out of their seats, yet still manages to get where he needs to be in time .. looked calm as he shielded the puck from a defender in the slot and fired it past the goalie .. played on the powerplay.

Dustin Boyd (Cgy), C

Tenacious pivot leads by example, especially when in puck pursuit mode .. centered a line of Kenndal McArdle and Steven Gillen .. wears an A .. forced a turnover due to his unwavering checking in traffic .. exceptional acceleration, mobility and overall is an extremely quick skater that skates with purpose .. failed to elude a bone crunching hit at center ice, however, was able to bounce right back up and get back in to the play .. takes a hit to make a play .. works hard on every shift and seems to play bigger than his size .. played in all situations, including the PK and PP .. lacks soft hands and will likely never be a force offensively at the next level, but should be able to push to eventually become an effective third or fourthliner.

Masi Marjamaki (Bos), LW

Gutsy Finn is one of the few imports to wear a C .. does all the little things to be effective including giving and taking a hit to make a play .. played on a line of Troy Brouwer and Blair Jones .. very mobile and has surprising acceleration .. came all the way back to clear the puck out of harm's way .. dependable in his own zone and displays a terrific work ethic away from the puck .. cuts to the net and worked hard to get to a loose puck in front .. uses his body to shield the puck in traffic .. displays leadership skills and will help direct his teammates especially on the PK or PP .. not an overly physical player, however, doesn't hesitate to go in to the danger zones where he knows he'll take some punishment.

Troy Brouwer (Chi), RW

Puts solid pressure at the point on the PK .. played on a line of Masi Marjamaki and Blair Jones .. wears an A .. has above average acceleration, quickness and is fairly mobile, although his stride lacks a certain fluidity to it at higher speeds .. took an important faceoff in the Warriors' zone and won it cleanly, while maintaining position on his man .. closes down passing lanes and puts pressure on the puckcarrier with an active stick .. plays on the PP .. will need to add some strength if he wants to have success in the dirty areas at the next level.