Jones to join Houston after signing with Wild

Mary Schwalm, Associated Press

Miami of Ohio's Ryan Jones signed a professional contract with the Wild Wednesday.

Three days after his team lost in the NCAA Northeast Regional final, the Miami of Ohio star signed his first pro contract with the Wild.

By ROMAN AUGUSTOVIZ, Star Tribune

Last update: April 3, 2008 - 9:57 AM

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Senior left wing Ryan Jones took his team's 4-3 overtime loss to Boston College on Sunday night in the title game of Northeast Regional hockey pretty hard.

Jones came to the postgame press conference in Worcester, Mass., red-eyed, still wearing his Miami (Ohio) jersey and breezers. Even his skates were still on. The two-year RedHawks captain said he was unsure if he could put on another uniform this season.

But Wednesday, the Wild announced they had signed Jones to a one-year contract that included a $293,000 signing bonus. His salary will be $625,000 if he plays a full season in the NHL, or $70,000 if he plays in the minors.

Minnesota selected him in the fourth round of the 2004 NHL draft. He was the 111th pick overall.

Since then, Jones has made a name for himself. On Wednesday, Chatham, Ontairo product also was named one of three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, presented annually to the nation's top college hockey player. The other finalists are forwards Kevin Porter of Michigan and Nathan Gerbe of Boston College.

This season, Jones scored 31 goals and had 18 assists for Miami, which was the second seed overall in the NCAA tournament and finished 33-8-1.

Jones had 21 game-winning goals in his career, two shy of the Division I record, including seven this season.

"Our regional scout in Ontario liked this guy," said Tom Thompson, the Wild's assistant general manager/player personnel. "Driving through a snowstorm [to see him], I thought, 'This guy better be good.'

"We saw strong character, a strong body, a passion to play and pretty good skills."

Jones, 6-2, 215 pounds, never missed a game in college. He played in 161 in a row.

"He was always fairly heavy set," said Tom Jones, Ryan's father. "We called him Scud Missile when he was young. Once he had the puck, he always went to the net."

Jones joined the Houston Aeros, the Wild's top affiliate, for their game against Lake Erie in Cleveland Wednesday, and was expected to play for them this weekend.

After the Aeros' season, Thompson expects Jones to attend the Wild's summer camp and challenge for a roster spot. "The intangibles are good; he will go as far as his talent takes him," Thompson said. "He won't do anything to screw himself up."

Staff writer Michael Russo contributed to this report.

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