Ryan Jones Retires: “Far From The Most Important Chapter In My Life”

For Ryan Jones, the end to his hockey career can be put into perspective. In fact, immediately following his final game this week, he summed up that sentiment.

“It’s far from the most important chapter of my life,” said Jones, a Chatham product who played for both the Chatham-Kent Cyclones, Blenheim Blades, and Chatham Maroons.

“I have two kids, they’re significantly more important,” he continued. “Obviously hockey has been a big part of my life for a long time. It’s been able to provide for me, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have the game that I love as a job.”

Jones, who was in the third and final year of a contract with the DEL’s Kolher Haie (Cologne Sharks) in Germany’s top professional league, had stated he would retire following the conclusion of his contract.

That moment came for the former NHL player, when his Kolner Haie team was eliminated in the DEL quarter-finals by ERC Ingolstadt.

The 34-year-old played 334 NHL games for the Edmonton Oilers and Nashville Predators.

“Like everything else, there’s a time to move on,” Jones said following his final game. “The next chapter of my life is ahead of me. I’ll take some time to figure that out, but hopefully I’ll have as much success in the next chapter as this one.”

Jones finished his career playing 5 seasons for Kolner Haie totalling 126 points in 224 games in the DEL.