MORE FLAMES
Flames veteran skates in his 400th NHL game against Avalanche
The notion of facing Jaromir Jagr was appealing.
However, reality — hopelessly chasing around No. 68 — turned out to be far from fun.
This was David Jones’s debut in the National Hockey League — Dec. 21, 2007 — and his Colorado Avalanche had been facing the visiting New York Rangers.
Operating on the fourth line that night — with Cody McLeod and Jaroslav Hlinka — Jones was permitted to take the full measure of Jagr. Unfortunately. “I got stuck out there and they threw out his line,” said Jones, chuckling. “We got hemmed in for about two minutes. That was pretty well the only shift I played that whole game. At that point, you’re just trying to play each game.
“You’re just trying to stay in the lineup.” He laughed again. “Not a lot different than now.” Plenty memorable, that contest was the first of 400, including Tuesday’s appearance, for Jones.
This latest milestone is rewarding.
Not that the 31- year- old is overly obsessed with round numbers. ( He’s currently at 96 goals, too.)
“I actually didn’t know it was my 400th until ( Mikael) Backlund told me,” Jones said after the Calgary Flames’ morning twirl. “I think it’s kind of cool, a milestone like that. It’s a lot of games, looking at that 400. I can’t imagine the guys that play over 1,000 — that’s a lot of hockey. It’s taken a little while to get here. I’ve had some injuries. I’m pretty proud of the fact that I’ve been here this long.
“Four hundred used to be a bigger deal because that ( meant) full pension for players. And they used to give you this leather jacket — I don’t know if they still do that.
“Every hundred, it’s pretty special, for sure.”
Making the occasion more exceptional had been the venue — Pepsi Center — where Jones has suited up for 134 regular- season games and countless practices.
“That’s awesome the way it worked out.”
After all, this is the rink where Jones participated in his first camp, when, quite unexpectedly, he ended up being dressing- room stallmates with Mr. Avalanche, the legendary Joe Sakic.
“I think it was just random ( seating arrangement). Surreal, for sure,” said the right- winger. “I just didn’t want to make him mad in any way. I just sat there and watched everything he did. Thinking back to that, it’s something pretty special.
“Six years later, he was the guy that traded me ( to Calgary). It was kind of funny. We have a laugh about that.” But Jones is proud of his career. In the 2003 draft, he was plucked from the long- shot depths of the ninth round, 288th overall. Only one player has ever been selected later — goalie Brian Elliott, 291st — and ended up becoming an NHL regular.
“For me, I never had a whole lot of pressure,” said Jones, drafted out of the BCHL Coquitlam Express. “I just went out and played. I got a chance to go to ( Dartmouth College) and enjoy myself and sort of grow as a person there. They gave me every opportunity at school to get better. Just to get in the NHL was a huge thrill.
“To be around for nine years now? It’s crazy how fast it’s gone.”
IGGY NEARS 600- GOAL MARK
Jarome Iginla knows all about his next benchmark — 600 goals.
“Before the season, I was aware of how many I needed — I believe it was 11,” Iginla said, with accuracy. “I have ( five) now, so it’s easy math for me. Hopefully, I do get there. I’d love to get there sooner than later. Definitely, it’s pretty neat. When I started, I never dreamt I’d get to 600 goals.
“To get that chance — and to play as long as I have — it’s been great.”
Only 18 players in NHL history have managed the feat.
Jari Kurri, with 601, is one slot up from Iginla.
“Getting close to 500, I thought about it maybe a little bit more,” said Iginla, 38. “Getting past that one, this feels similar. More ( your) focus is — you just try to score every game.”
On his merry march up the charts, Iginla has surpassed alltimers such as Guy Lafleur and Mike Bossy and Rocket Richard.
Now around the corner — Bobby Hull.
“When I hear a name, mostly it’s afterwards — ’ Hey, you just tied Lanny McDonald,’ ” said Iginla. “I think those are cool ( moments) when I hear it, but, to be honest, I don’t know the next ( name). I don’t watch that list closely right now.
“It’s definitely an honour to be in that company. In the summer, I’ll probably look at it a little more. When I’m done, I’ll probably look at it and think, ‘ Oh, that’s pretty neat.’ But right now, it’s more about keeping going.”