Martin Jones
| Birthday: 1990-01-10 | Position: G |
| Eligible for draft: 2008 | Catches: Right |
| Drafted: | Height: 6-4 |
| Acquired: Free agent signing, 2008 | Weight: 187 lbs. |
Probability of Success
- C
History
Martin Jones signed to an entry level contract with the Los Angeles Kings during the 2008 training camp. Re-assigned to Calgary of the WHL shortly after signing.
Despite being under the age of 20 and undrafted, the Kings signed Jones to an entry-level contract under an exception permitted in section 8.9(b)(ii.) of the Collective Bargaining agreement. Using this exception, the Kings managed to pick up a very intriguing project of a prospect without the use of even a draft pick.
2008-09: Jones backstopped the best team in the WHL, the Calgary Hitmen, with a remarkable 45-5-4 record, at or near the top in almost every goaltender stat category for not only the WHL but all of major junior hockey. Some of what Jones accomplished can be attributed to an exceptional team around him, led by fellow Kings prospect Brandon Kozun, that scored in bunches. Jones also backstopped Team Canada in the Russia/Canada ADT Challenge.
2009-10: Jones recorded another season of eye-popping statistics with the Calgary Hitmen, posting a 36-11-1 record, a .919 save percentage, and a 2.21 GAA. He also managed 8 shutouts.
2010-11: Jones appeared in 39 games for the Manchester Monarchs as an AHL rookie; splitting time with fellow Kings’ prospect Jeff Zatkoff. Jones was 23-13 with four shutouts, losing one game in overtime, and had a 2.25 GAA and .924 save percentage. Jones played in four playoff games in the Monarchs’ first round series with eventual Calder Cup champion Binghamton and was 2-1 with a 2.54 GAA and .921 save percentage. He played in one game with the ECHL’s Ontario Reign, stopping 26 of 30 shots in a win.
2011-12: Jones again split the goaltending duties for Kings AHL affiliate Manchester with Jeff Zatkoff. He played 41 games in his second pro season and was 18-17-2 with 1 shutout and had a 2.60 goals against and .919 save percentage. Manchester finished second in the Atlantic Division and lost to Norfolk three games to one in a first round playoff series. Jones played in three playoff games and was 1-1 with a 2.33 goals against and .933 save percentage.
2012-13: Jones played in a career-high 56 games for the Kings AHL affiliate in Manchester in his third pro season. Backed up by veteran Peter Mannino, he was 27-25-4 with 5 shutouts and had a 2.53 goals against and .919 save percentage. The Monarchs finished third in the Atlantic Division and lost to Springfield in a first round playoff series. Jones started all four playoff games and was 1-3 with a 2.16 goals against and .932 save percentage. He was with the Kings during their playoff run but did not see any action. Jones signed a two-year contract with the Kings as a restricted free agent in September, 2013.
Talent Analysis
Jones is a large netminder that covers a lot of the net with both size and solid athleticism. He is good at puck control and gives up few rebounds. While consistency has been the main issue with Jones, he is starting to find more highs than lows as he has matured.
Future
Jones has steadily worked his way into the starting job with the Monarchs posting solid numbers but still struggling to find the consistency of a true No. 1. He shows flashes of brilliance though and if he has another good season is going to be a strong candidate for Jonathan Quick’s backup moving forward.
