An impressive rookie season in the Pacific Junior Hockey League with the Richmond Sockeyes has earned Ryan Jones a commitment from the Vancouver Giants.
The Western Hockey League club announced Tuesday it has signed the 16-year-old blueliner to WHL Player Agreement. Jones was placed on the Giants’ protection list soon after the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft. The South Delta Minor Hockey product played last season in the B.C. Major Midget Hockey League with the Greater Vancouver Canadians before earning one of two available 16-year-old roster spots available per team at the junior “B” level.
Jones has 20 points in 27 games with Richmond and recently returned to the line-up from a hand injury.
“Ryan is having a really great year,” said Giants General Manager Scott Bonner. “He’s been practicing with our team and doing really well in a great Richmond program that has also produced players like Carter Popoff. He’s a solid defenseman, and with some of our veteran guys moving on in the next couple of years, we’re excited about Ryan’s future.”
Jones’ older brother Mitch helped the Sockeyes win a provincial championship before going onto play in the B.C. Hockey League. He is currently in his senior season at Northern Michigan University.
