(above) Justin Jones leaves DU after not appearing in a single gameFrom: NAHL.com
Texas Tornado Head Coach and General Manager Tony Curtale has announced that former Texas Tornado forward Justin Jones has returned to the team after spending the first semester at the University of Denver. “There were a variety of reasons he decided to leave school,” said Curtale.
“I think Justin returning to the team will allow him to focus on developing more as a player and get him into a better collegiate situation where is more comfortable and can get the playing time he wants and deserves.” Last season, Jones had 20 points in 54 games played for the Tornado, but was 2nd on the team in playoff scoring with three points in five games. In order to make room for Jones, the Tornado parted ways with forward Patrick Gregory, who played two games with Texas, recording two assists.
Texas Tornado Head Coach and General Manager Tony Curtale has announced that former Texas Tornado forward Justin Jones has returned to the team after spending the first semester at the University of Denver. “There were a variety of reasons he decided to leave school,” said Curtale.
“I think Justin returning to the team will allow him to focus on developing more as a player and get him into a better collegiate situation where is more comfortable and can get the playing time he wants and deserves.” Last season, Jones had 20 points in 54 games played for the Tornado, but was 2nd on the team in playoff scoring with three points in five games. In order to make room for Jones, the Tornado parted ways with forward Patrick Gregory, who played two games with Texas, recording two assists.
6 comments:
I guess saying for "Variety of reasons" is rather a tactful way of saying that he found out he was too stooopid for college.....
Justin's DU situation remained curious from day one - a low producer from a low junior league - obviously here as a throw in to get the better brother.
Sounded like the first half of the year, perhaps academic issues precluded his participation?.And never dressing for a game tells us he was likely not a good enough hockey player to dress in a DU game.
The downside of this means DU probably won't get the better brother now.
Folks, There's no disgrace in this for JJ. Anyone is going to go where the opportunity is. Guys like him certainly are working with a "window" of some degree. He hasn't played in 3 months at least. He can go back to the NAHL; with perhaps hopes of eventually going to a Central Hockey League team to play (what I call) "paycheck hockey". It sure beats working some 9 to 5 shit job and carrying regrets with you all your life of woulda/coulda/shoulda's (like I have!). I'm sorry I never got to see him play at the collegiate level - but that does not mean that he's not capabable of being an impact player, at some level. What would YOU do? Struggle with classes and watch your playing deams slip away? Or, go to where you know there's a roster spot and maybe some money for you???
I think when you choose to come to a top 5 program as Denver is this year, even highly NHL-drafted players (Wrenn anyone?) have a hard time getting playing time.
To me, the fact Justin never even dressed tells you he either wasn't ready for this level of play, or his academics were not good enough, perhaps both.
DU rarely recruits guys that can't handle school. I can't even remember the last academic casualty here...
If were him and playing time were important, there no shame in going back to juniors and trying to make the Pioneers next year. Matt Laatsch did that and ended up a captain of an NCAA Champion DU team. But since his coach is talking about a better collegiate situation, perhaps he's shooting for a lesser team where he might actually play.
Would like to see what DU says about it.
This is how DU gets the entire hockey team on the WCHA all-academic team. The players with poor grades quit before the get bounced.
Justin Jones had a great last half with the tornado. I watched a few games and I can tell why he got taken by du. He grinds hard and isn't afraid to go to the dirty areas, and his speed is incredible. This kid is going to make it. His brother Seth is fenomenal but that's not why du took this kid to begin with
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