Avalanche Player Q & A: David Jones

1)  You were a standout at Dartmouth.  What was it like going to an Ivy League school?
It was unbelievable. I didn’t really know what to expect coming all the way from Vancouver. It was a long way to go. When I went down there to visit, it was just a great experience and I really can’t say enough about my time there.

2)  What's the biggest difference between playing in college and the NHL?

All the players are definitely faster. It’s just a lot quicker and everyone is a little stronger.  It’s a little step better. I think from juniors to college is a step up then college to the NHL is another step up in the talent level.

3)  How would you describe the rookie and training camps you've been apart of?

It’s great! I know all these guys pretty well since it’s my second year now. It’s good to see everyone after working hard all summer and to finally get back on the ice with these guys. We have a lot fun out here.

4)  Why do players grow beards during the playoffs?

I don’t know. I think it’s a superstition thing – some guys don’t wash their laundry and some guys grow beards. I think it’s just more from the old hockey days, but I love it.  There’s no other excuse for me to grow a beard so I enjoy it.

5)  Do you think the NHL should stop trying to promote non-traditional hockey?

I don’t know if they really do that. I think as equipment gets better, guys get faster and shots get harder with the new sticks and stuff, I think the game needs to adapt the way it has. The new NHL is unbelievable. It’s fast hockey and really exciting to watch. So I think old time hockey is great, but it’s adapted really well.

1. Who is the greatest former NHL Player of all times in your mind?

That’s tough. I’d have to say Wayne Gretzky. I mean he or Bobby Orr are two standouts for me.

1. When do you think another city will get an NHL team either by expansion or buying a team, and who do you think that will be?

I don’t know. I’m hearing a lot of stuff out in Ontario, maybe a team moving there. They have a good fan base. I think the more teams the better. Hopefully, hockey keeps getting more popular in the U.S. here and hopefully there is a city who can afford to. That’d be great.

1. How do you like the new NHL overtime shootout rule?  What would you like to see instead if anything?

I like it. You know… I think ties are boring. Ideally, it’d be nice to be able to play it out like we do in the playoffs, but obviously that’s pretty tough on players to be going into three and four overtimes. So I think it’s good for the fans to see it and I think it’s really exciting.

1.  Who is the dirtiest player currently in the NHL?

I don’t think I can answer that. I can’t go ahead and answer that (laughs).

1.  Should fighting be allowed in the NHL today?

Yeah. I think it’s definitely, you talk about old time hockey, I think it’s a part of the game. We’re seeing less and less of it. The players who play those rules are respectful of each other.  They know when they have to fight and it’s exciting for the fans; they like to see it so I’m all for it.

1.  What do you think of Barry Melrose?

As a commentator? I’ve got nothing bad to say about him. He did one of my games in college and had good things to say about me so I can’t say anything bad about him.

1.  Would you consider announcing after your NHL career is over?

Yeah, maybe, if they gave me the opportunity. I don’t think I’d very good at it, but it would probably be something fun to do. 

13)  Do you have a blog?

No, I don’t have a blog (laughs).

14)  What do players have to do to get themselves kicked out of a face-off?

Well, some guys like to cheat so they move their feet up before the other guy or they try to anticipate the drop. That’s pretty much how guys get kicked out.

15)  Do you own any autographed sports memorabilia and what is it?

I have several sticks signed by the guys on our team. As soon as I got here, I had Joe Sakic sign one for me. He’s been a hero of mine since I was young growing up in Vancouver and just hearing everything about him. I have his, I have Forsberg, and I’ve got all the good players on our team. I started a little collection back home.

If you have any questions you’d like us to ask the next featured Avalanche player, send them to editor@coloradohockeyinsider.com.