Kings prospect named WHL Player of the Week

Martin Jones, a Kings goaltending prospect playing junior hockey for the Calgary Hitmen, was named the WHL player of the week.

You may remember hearing his name last month when he played for Team Canada at the World Junior Championships - along side other Kings prospects Colten Teubert, Brayden Schenn and Brandon Kozun.

The 19 year old goalie is finishing up his fourth year with the Hitmen. After not being drafted by any NHL team the Kings signed him to a free agent contract in the summer of 2008.

Highlights from the WHL press release:

Jones posted a 3-0-0-0 record this past week with one shut-out, stopping 89 of 91 shots faced for a 0.670 goals-against average and a remarkable 0.978 save percentage.

On Wednesday, February 3rd, the Hitmen were at the Credit Union i-plex in Swift Current to face the Broncos. Jones stopped 23 of 24 shots faced as the Hitmen doubled up the Broncos 2-1. The next night, Thursday, February 4th, the Hitmen were in Medicine Hat to take on the Tigers. Jones stopped 33 of 34 shots, including 15 saves in the third period, to help lead the Hitmen to a 4-1 victory. He was also named the games 1st Star. Back at the Saddledome on Saturday, February 6th, the Hitmen hosted the Tigers for the back end of their home-and-home series. Jones stopped all 33 shots faced and was named the games 1st Star as the Hitmen shut-out the Tigers 2-0.

With Jones picking up three wins this past week and eight victories in his last 10 games, which include four shut-out performances, he now sits 4th among WHL goaltenders with 24 wins on the season. His goals-against average also ranks him 4th in the WHL at 2.54.

Assuming top goaltending prospect Jonathan Bernier is with the Kings in LA next season, all other goalies in the system would likely get a bump up to the next level as well. Jeff Zatkoff, currently backing up Bernier in Manchester, would probably assume the starting job there for the 2010-11 campaign. Allowing Jones to become Z's back-up or possibly end up in Ontario as the starter for the Reign.

The Mayor
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