Matt Jones has enjoyed a solid rookie pro season, after finishing a distinguished four year stint with North Dakota, including an NCAA championship game appearance last year. He debuts on the FAB50 Hockey 2006 at 41 amidst a pack of promising newcomers around the AHL.
Jones has been just about the steadiest member of a shaky San Antonio Rampage back line, and has already earned some time with the big club in Phoenix.
Matt earned a spot in the AHL All-Star game, but had to pass after taking a puck in the face. That's about the only thing that's gone wrong for him in his brief pro career.
He uses his big frame to good advantage, but any offense he provides will be a bonus. He did contribute the occasional goal at North Dakota, but will likely never be a big point producer. Instead, his success will lie with his ability to keep up with the play.
Jones has just enough speed to be able to play the body without drawing excessive penalties.
It wouldn't be a stretch to see him develop into a top-four NHL defenseman. He factors well into the options of the Phoenix Coyotes. We see him with additional playing time in the AHL, but tracking well to be in the upper ranks of the MN FAB50 by next season.
