Almost shockingly, undrafted 4th year net minder Martin Jones(31) has spent his entire pro career in Los Angeles KIngs‘ prospect system and will be riding with the organization for another two seasons as he just inked an extension through 2014/2015.
He was signed to an entry level deal with a couple of slide seasons as an 18-year old to lay claim to him though.
He’s coming off another campaign with affiliate Manchester Monarchs, where he set record highs in many categories including a phenomenal 56 games played (2nd most overall), wins with 27 but also 25 losses, 5 shutouts, 3347 minutes in the crease and 1601 saves to his credit.
The big 6’4″ but light 189 lbs. goaltender has yet to officially earned an NHL call-up in the juggernaut that was in net for the parent club until recently but was part of the team’s practice squad when they won the Stanley Cup in 2012. He’s easily proving he is worth a look as he maintains a 2.46 GAA and .921 SV% in the minors through 136 AHL games.
He won a WHL Championship in his last season of junior hockey with Calgary Hitmen, plus was playoff MVP and top goaltender in the Memorial Cup and in the league for 2009/2010.
There is still that curtain of let’s see what this kid can do when he gets into a game with the “big boys” but the 23-year old seems to be on the right path.
See related: 2/10-11, 3/3-11, 4/29-12