Jones returns to Norfolk

The Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL parent club of the Norfolk Admirals, have reassigned forward Blair Jones to the Admirals, Lightning Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman announced today. Jones is the career scoring leader in AHL Admirals history.

Jones, 6-foot-2, 216 pounds, has appeared in 10 games for the Lightning, posting one assist and four penalty minutes with an average of 7:15 of ice time. A native of Central Butte, Sask., Jones has played in 66 career NHL games, all with the Lightning. He has registered two goals and seven points with 18 penalty minutes during his career.

Jones played in 56 regular-season games with Norfolk last season, notching 24 goals and 55 points with a plus-17 rating. Jones finished the regular season second on the team in points, goals and plus/minus as well as tied for second in assists. Jones also played in four of Norfolk’s Calder Cup Playoff games, registering a goal and plus-1 rating.

Jones became Norfolk’s all-time leading scorer on Apr. 4, 2011, passing Ajay Baines. In 274 career games as an Admiral, Jones has 181 points on 67 goals and 114 assists. He ranks first in points, third in assists, fourth in goals, fifth in games played, tied for second in game-winning goals (12) and first in shots (804) in AHL Admirals history. In 319 career AHL games between the Admirals and the Springfield Falcons, Jones has recorded 72 goals and 202 points.

Jones was drafted by Tampa Bay in the fourth round, 102nd overall, of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Lightning on June 24, 2011.