Art Jones (ice hockey)

Art Jones (January 31, 1935 – February 3, 2021) was a Canadian ice hockey centre who played the majority of his career in the Western Hockey League for the Portland Buckaroos.

For the goaltender, see Art Rice-Jones.
Art Jones
Born (1935-01-31)January 31, 1935
Bangor, Saskatchewan, Canada
Died February 3, 2021(2021-02-03) (aged 86)
Happy Valley, Oregon, U.S.
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight 150 lb (68 kg; 10 st 10 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Left
Played for New Westminster Royals
Portland Buckaroos
Seattle Totems
Victoria Cougars
NHL Draft undrafted
Playing career 1957–1976

Career

Jones played for the Buckaroos for their entire existence in the Western Hockey League (WHL) and led the team to three Lester Patrick Cups, the WHL championship. He was the WHL's leading scorer six times, and won the George Leader Cup, given to the league's most valuable player, twice (in 1967–68 and 1970–71). In 1970, he set the WHL scoring record for most points (127) in a season.[1] Jones also played for the New Westminster Royals and Victoria Cougars of the WHL, and the Seattle Totems of the Central Hockey League.

After retiring from hockey, Jones settled in Portland, Oregon. He was named to the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1984.[2]

Jones scored 1,580 points in 1,180 games, which is second only to Guyle Fielder's 1,771 points in 1,368 WHL games. Although Fielder outscored Jones in the WHL by almost 200 points, Jones averaged a higher points per game total, averaging 1.34 PPG vs Fielder's WHL average of 1.29. As of February 2021, when including playing time in all minor professional leagues, Jones finished his career with 1,618 points, the third-highest total in minor league history. Fielder (1,929 career points) and longtime Johnstown Jets forward Dick Roberge (1,740 career points) are the only players ahead of Jones.

Personal life

Jones retired from hockey in 1976. He died in Happy Valley, Oregon, in 2021, three days after his 86th birthday.[3]

References
  1. "Jones Was A Portland Hockey Legend". The Rogue Valley Messenger. Grants Pass, Oregon. 2021-02-04. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
  2. Kessler, Ryan (2021-05-07). "Art Jones never made the NHL, but he's likely among Saskatchewan's best hockey players". Global News. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
  3. Swanson, Mike (2021-02-10). "Portland hockey legend Art Jones, Buckaroos captain for 11 years, dies at age 86". oregonlive. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
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