Ryan Jones Optimistic About New Season With Edmonton Oilers
Ryan Jones - Edmonton Oilers - Photo by Bridget Samuels
It’s not just hockey fans across the country who are chomping at the bit to see the NHL back on ice this Fall, it’s the NHL players themselves too. Coming off a career year, Chatham’s Ryan Jones is readying for another big campaign with the Edmonton Oilers after signing a new two-year deal in the offseason, and watching his Oilers team building for success.
“I think the additions that we made will definitely make our team better,” said Jones. ” We added some leadership and toughness, which will help our younger skilled guys be able to play the game that they play best. I think we will be a much improved team and our goal is obviously to make the playoffs. That is a goal that I truly believe we can accomplish.”
After finishing last in the NHL this past season, a playoff position might seem like a pipe dream for the young Edmonton Oilers, but after watching the success of teams like the Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins who built through the draft following years in the NHL’s basement, there truly is reason for hope in Edmonton.
Building is a common theme both for the Oilers as a team and Jones personally,
“I am just going to continue to the same things that I did last year,” said Jones about how he planned to follow up his 18-goal campaign. “I have worked hard this summer to get stronger in order to be able to put myself in those positions out front of the net and stay there. My role might be a little different on the team this year than it was with all the injuries last season, but whatever I am called upon to do I will give it my all. I still believe that I can get better and be a real secondary scoring threat so hopefully I can continue to do so.”
The goal for Jones and the Oilers remains a playoff position, and eventually a Stanley Cup. Ironically, the last time the Edmonton Oilers dominated the National Hockey League, winning four Stanley Cups in five seasons beginning in 1983-84, the Oilers were ending the Stanley Cup dynasty of another NHL club, the New York Islanders, who featured Jones’ uncle John Tonelli.
That same year, the year Jones was born, Tonelli scored 100 points before his Islanders fell to the Oilers in the Stanley Cup final. Looking at his own hockey career, Jones still sees Tonelli as someone he looks up to and someone many compare his style of play to,
“He was one guy that I really watched everything he did growing up,” said Jones. ” The more I talk to people the more I realize how similar we are. Obviously the point output will never be the same but guys he played with and against said he was tough, drove the net and everyone knew he was on the ice. That’s the way I want to continue to play the game and what I want people to say of me when I leave the game.”
Ryan Jones will get his chance to continue building this family legacy as his Edmonton Oilers begin their 2011-2012 NHL season against the Pittburgh Penguins, October 9 at 9pm in Edmonton.