Thursday, January 9, 2014

'Tips add veteran power forward Zane Jones

Press Release

EVERETT – The Everett Silvertips bolstered their forward corps today in a trade with the Calgary Hitmen, acquiring 19-year-old power forward Zane Jones in exchange for 1996-born defenseman Micheal Zipp.  The Silvertips’ roster now includes 15 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders among 24 active players.

Currently in his third WHL season, Jones has scored 11 goals and assisted on 13 others for 24 points in 42 games for the Hitmen this year.  Prior to the trade, he ranked third on Calgary’s roster with 51 penalty minutes and fifth with a +19 plus/minus rating for the season.  The 6-foot-3, 210-pound winger comes to Everett in the midst of a hot streak to start the New Year, having produced seven points (3g/4a) and a +9 rating during an active four-game point streak.

“We’re very pleased to insert a big, strong left winger like Zane into our lineup,” said Silvertips General Manager Garry Davidson.  “To me he’s kind of a Todd Bertuzzi-type player who will help give a little extra punch to our offense.  At 6-3 and over 200 pounds, he goes up and down the wing, brings a real physical presence and has shown some finish in his career as well.  As for Micheal, we had to give up a good quality young man to get Zane here and we wish him luck in Calgary.”

Before this season, Jones attended NHL Training Camp with the Minnesota Wild as a free-agent invitee.  The Olds, Alberta native recorded career highs with 21 goals and 44 points last season as Calgary won the Central Division crown.  He then contributed five points (2g/3a) in 17 playoff games while helping the Hitmen advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they fell in Game 7 to Edmonton. 

Originally a fifth-round pick (91st overall) of the Chilliwack Bruins – who later became the Victoria Royals – in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft, Jones enjoyed a solid rookie season with 32 points (14g/18a) and 64 penalty minutes as a 17-year-old for the Royals in 2011-12.  In 180 career games, he has amassed exactly 100 points on 46 goals and 54 assists to go with 166 penalty minutes and a +15 rating.

Zipp, 17, leaves Everett after appearing in 59 WHL contests since joining the club midway through last season.  Selected by Everett in the fourth round (#73 overall) of the 2011 Bantam Draft, the Edmonton product returns to his native Alberta with two assists and 59 penalty minutes on his WHL resume.  Zipp was also Everett’s Co-Scholastic Player of the Year with Dawson Leedahl last season.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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