BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings
HARTFORD, CT – A highly-rated draft pick will have much expected of them. When that player is undrafted, the expectations are lower because that player has the aura of an unknown commodity, but for the Hartford Wolf Pack’s Nick Jones, he has been gaining more and more responsibility as the team approaches weekend six of the regular season.
“We’re locked in right now,” Jones said. “We have had great goaltending and we would want a few more goals, but right now everything is clicking,”
Jones had a ten-game audition with the Wolf Pack at the end of last season which led to his AHL contract for this season.
Jones is a valuable roster addition this season. His face-off skills in particular have been crucial on the number two PK unit where he has been partnered with his regular left-winger line-mate, Tim Gettinger. That second PK unit comes on after the number one crew, Steven Fogarty, and Boo Nieves come off the ice.
The early chemistry between Jones and Gettinger comes from a simple formula. The two have been together for most of the young season where the Wolf Pack, with 25 points, sits atop the Atlantic Division and the entire AHL.
“Since day one we’ve been together,” Jones recounted. “We have had 15 games to get to know what each other does. We really help each other. It also helps on five-on-five that we have been together. We’re reading off each other really well, and we know where each other is.”
The head coach is pleased with his pupil.
“I didn’t know much about him until I got here. He constantly works every shift and he’s shown very good puck management skills and we try to use him in the defensive zone on the right side and he has earned his way there,” Kris Knoblauch said.
The schedule, which is double the number of games he had while at the University of North Dakota has made him change his routine that he spent four years there perfecting.
“Its been a big adjustment. When you’re used to just two games a weekend, and now there’s the three in three, mid-week games, it’s a lot more games than college. I haven’t changed that much, but I have been really on top it so far. If I feel even a small thing wrong (physically) I go the staff right away. I don’t want anything to linger with a three-game-in-three-day stretch.”
The art of being a center takes time to learn and Jones is studying from practices and from video and it’s opened his eyes.
“In college, we took it very seriously and in practices you were on your techniques, no doubt. The first few games there was a big adjustment. Players are so much bigger and stronger, so you have do new things. I struggled for a few games, but I’m more comfortable now,” remarked Jones.
Learning the tendencies of the linesman in face-offs is also a major part of the trade.
“Linesman at the professional level are different than the collegiate level. It’s so different from guy-to-guy. They line you up differently very particularly, while others let some things go. I really don’t care though what they do as long as they’re consistent all night. What you do in the first period should be done in the third period. If they’re gonna let you play, then do it that way every time. Its just very tough when it changes draw-to-draw.”
The use of video has been an important tool for him in aiding his development. The team has given him Claude Giroux (Philadelphia) and Patrice Bergeron (Boston) compilations to review.
“Those two guys are the best in the NHL, and yet they have completely different styles. They use mechanics differently, from how they use their feet, or use their stick. Seeing them this way, you really appreciate their play so much. How hard they make it on the other center. It’s an art the way they do it,”
The Jones secret sauce, “Can’t tell ya it’s a trade secret,” Jones said with a laugh.
There is a metric a player uses and that’s not analytical.
“You have to change your practice, using your strength, getting the other center’s strengths. You’ve got to stick to your thing, but you learn to read off a guy after you go against them a few times. By the end of the game, with a big draw, you will have an idea what will work and what won’t. I try to put everything into that last draw,” remarked Jones.
His skill was evident two weeks ago against the Hershey Bears when he was going up against veteran Michael Sgarbossa and emerging two-for-two in the last minute of regulation.
Playing against the Providence Bruins three times in less than a week is not easy.
“They’re a very good team. They come through the neutral zone with so much speed and so far all the games have been close and hard fought. We’re doing well at home, and it’s important before we head out on the road next weekend that we get the wins at home,” said Jones, who has five assists and six points in his first 16 games.
He has been an early season bright spot and come April could be part of a post season for the Wolf Pack.
