Hunter Jones: NHL scouts like what they see
PETES PIECES: Jones leads all OHK goalies in minutes played and saves
Despite a tough weekend, Hunter Jones’s stock continues to rise with NHL scouts.
The International Scouring Service (ISS) ranks Jones second among all goalie prospects for the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Spencer Knight of the USA U18 National Development Team Program is ranked No. 1.
Jones leads all OHL goalies in minutes played and saves and ranks near the top in wins, GAA and save percentage.
“Hunter Jones is a big goalie who takes up a lot of net,” states an ISS report. “He sees the puck very well through traffic, has good reactions and strong rebound control and directs them well to the corners. Jones has shown a great amount of progress this season and has an imposing presence; he has future NHL starter written all over him.”
Jones is one of three Petes rated as players to watch in the November NHL Central Scouting rankings. Jones and forward Nick Robertson are ranked as ‘B’ players suggesting they could be second- or third-round draft picks. Erik Cermak is ranked as a ‘C’ player.
Campbellford native Nathan Dunkley, of the London Knights, is also a ‘C’ player.
Longevity
Former Petes head coach Mike Pelino recently appeared in his 400th Kontinental Hockey
League (KHL) game as an assistant coach. After five years with Metallurg Magnitogorsk, where he was a part of two Gagarin Cup championships, Pelino is in his first season with Omsk Avangard alongside head coach and former NHL bench boss Bob Hartley.
Pelino, who calls Millbrook home in the off-season, has been on the bench for more games than any other active coach in the KHL. His team’s record in that span is 260-110-30.
Entering weekend play Omsk sat second in the East Conference with a 60-6-2 record.
Faith Night
The Petes will host Humboldt Broncos team chaplain Sean Brandow as part of Faith Night on Thursday when they play the Kingston Frontenacs at the PMC.
In addition to participating in a pre-game ceremony, Brandow will host a post-game discussion. All fans are invited to stay to hear Brandow share the hope that came from the tragedy in Humboldt.
A second intermission chucka-puck will support Operation Christmas Childwith funds being used to purchase items to fill shoeboxes for their annual campaign. Prizes include a CCM hockey stick, a Tim Horton’s gift basket, and a Shopper’s Drug Mart gift basket.
Faith Night tickets are available for $13 each for groups of 15 or more. Contact Bolton Kirkof in the Petes office at bkirkof@gopetesgo.com or call 705-743-3681, ext. 257.
Spooner dealt
The New York Rangers traded ex-Pete Ryan Spooner, 26, to the Edmonton Oilers last week in exchange for Ryan Strome, 25. Spooner had two points on one goal and one assist in 16 games for the Rangers this season. Strome had a goal and assist in 18 games for Edmonton.
Roster notes
The Petes made one lineup change on Saturday as Cameron Supryka dressed as a seventh defenceman with forward Jake Partridge scratched along with Shawn Spearing ... Nick Robertson (wrist) and Zach Gallant (leg), who is out until the New Year, were also sidelined.