Currently, Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones has been considering a change of employer as trade rumors envelop him. But in 2013, Jones was a youngster with the WHL's Portland Winterhawks -- and in this cover story from THN's Draft Preview edition, writer Ryan Kennedy profiled Jones as he made history by tying Evander Kane as the visible minority who was drafted highest -- fourth-overall, by the Nashville Predators -- in NHL history:

PORTLAND’S TRAILBLAZER

By Ryan Kennedy

Race is going to be a topic at this year’s draft, even if it’s not an issue for top prospect Seth Jones.

If Jones is indeed the first player selected in the 2013 draft, he’ll join a small group of Americans to accomplish the feat. In the past 20 years, only Bryan Berard, Rick DiPietro, Erik Johnson and Patrick Kane can claim membership in the clique, but Jones can also establish an historical first: the first visible minority to go No. 1.

The high watermark right now belongs to Evander Kane, who was drafted fourth overall by Atlanta in 2009. Even Jarome Iginla wasn’t taken until the 11th slot back in 1995, and Hall of Famer Grant Fuhr went eighth in 1981. It’s something Jones is aware of and not afraid to confront. “I came across that question a lot this year,” he says. “I obviously see the significance, being the first half-African-American that could be No. 1. Hopefully, if it happens, it will help other African-American kids play hockey.”

Jones’ mom, Amy, is white and according to agent Pat Brisson, has made just as much an impression on Seth as 6-foot-8 father Popeye, who spent 11 seasons in the NBA as a power forward. Amy is based in Dallas while Popeye lives the road life, serving as assistant coach in Brooklyn with the Nets, so she’s sort of the family quarterback.

And because Popeye’s Denver Nuggets played in the same building as Joe Sakic’s Colorado Avalanche, Seth was exposed to both teams on a personal level after his dad made friends with ‘Burnaby Joe.’ So, between his focus on hockey and his interracial upbringing, Jones has a more nuanced perspective on race than one would otherwise assume. “He’s never seen himself as either/or,” Brisson says. “It’s a question that will be brought up.”

Another 2012 draftee in a similar situation is Kitchener Rangers center Justin Bailey, who is also represented by Brisson. Bailey’s biological father, Carlton, was a linebacker for the NFL’s Bills and Justin was raised in the Buffalo area by his mom, Karen Buscaglia. Jones and Bailey hung out in the summer in Los Angeles, but their shared biracial heritage doesn’t really come up. “We don’t really care about race,” Jones says. “We treat everyone the same.”

What is more important about Jones and Bailey is, because of their fathers, they were genetically predisposed to be athletes, but not necessarily hockey players. Bailey’s 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame would have had high school football coaches pleading for his services, but the youngster had a pretty good reason for strapping on a pair of skates instead. “Growing up in Buffalo, we lived in the same condo as Matthew Barnaby, Michael Peca and Rob Ray,” Bailey says. “Barnaby helped me along the way with a lot of decision-making.”

Once his star began to take off, Bailey found a mentor in former Sabres star Pat LaFontaine, who was coaching the Long Island Royals midget team. Bailey lived with LaFontaine for the season, providing Bailey with a round-the-clock influence. “It was good to have someone you could ask questions when you came home from the rink,” he says.

Though the presence of superstars such as Sakic and La-Fontaine helped put Jones and Bailey on the ice path, more young black athletes are choosing hockey. Sault Ste. Marie defenseman Darnell Nurse may be the second blueliner taken this year and his upbringing in Hamilton, Ont., easily could have seen him play a different sport: his dad was a wide receiver for the CFL’s Tiger-Cats, while a sister and aunt played basketball.

That aunt married NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb, a fellow Syracuse Orange student-athlete. Out west, D-man Madison Bowey was a star baseball player in Winnipeg, getting to the national championship and quitting only two years ago when he joined the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets. “Any time I watch on TV or pass a baseball diamond, it brings back a lot of good memories,” he says.

Add the third Subban brother, Belleville’s Jordan, and you have the makings of a diverse draft class. And while this is celebrated by both the NHL and many in the hockey community, there’s still a faction out there who want to spoil the party. Kane, who moved to Winnipeg when the Thrashers relocated, has been a lightning rod for criticism in Manitoba from the media and the fans.

The young 30-goal scorer has a vibrant personality and isn’t afraid to have fun with his Twitter feed, but pictures of him pretending to use a stack of cash as a cell phone in Las Vegas and the things he’s shaved into his hair have elicited nasty reactions. Many of the comments on websites came with coded references to his race, claiming Kane’s personality was more suited to the NBA or NFL. Jones, who listens to both hip-hop and country, is still aware he may have to face intolerance, even if it’s veiled rather than overt. “P.K. went through that a little bit, too,” he says, referring to the Habs’ Subban. “You see those little episodes, but you just have to be the best person you can be.”

Four years ago, Brisson was talking to client Philippe Boucher when the Dallas Stars defenseman hit him with a hot tip: there was a kid down in Texas – a blueliner, at that – turning into something special. So before Brisson returned to his L.A. headquarters from the East Coast, he stopped in Dallas where he witnessed Seth Jones take on a visiting squad from Boston. “He was 14 at the time and a really good player,” Brisson says. “Sure, he was tall, but I loved his decision-making and the way he moved on the ice.”

Last year Brisson brought Jones and top forward prospect Nathan MacKinnon to the draft in Pittsburgh to get a sense of the experience. This year he’ll watch both walk up the stage stairs to the podium…perhaps in succession.

In his first season with the Western League’s Portland Winterhawks, Jones has met every expectation thrown at him and pulled away from the pack after the world juniors as the consensus No. 1 prospect for the draft. He’s 6-foot-4, 206 pounds and can skate. He shut down the best Canadian under-20s in Russia, but also put up 14 goals and 56 points in 61 games for Portland, putting him top-five among all rookies in the WHL. “For me, it’s his hockey sense,” says Winterhawks coach Travis Green. “There’s lot of big guys, good skaters and good shots, but if you’re not a good thinker you’re going to have flaws and make mistakes. Seth understands the game.”

The closest Jones has come to controversial so far is when he made a declarative statement about Team USA’s chances at the world juniors, telling TSN the Americans were the best team. “A lot of people took it the wrong way, like I was being cocky or arrogant,” he says. “But I was pretty familiar with our team. Some of us had won gold at the under-18s the year before, so I knew we had the heart and determination to win a championship.”

His signature performance came in the WJC semifinal when the Americans avenged a one-goal loss to Canada in the round-robin by blitzing the Canucks 5-1. Paired with captain Jake McCabe, Jones snuffed out any hint of a Canadian attack whenever the puck went into the defensive zone. Trailing all game, the Canadians were demoralized to see Jones and McCabe neutralize any sort of forward progress before it became a scoring chance. “It was very easy for us to get up for that game,” Jones says. “I think they underestimated us. We came out and shut down their top lines.”

There was also the matter of his entry into the WHL, which was a saga unto itself. Originally drafted by Everett, Jones was torn between the major junior route and the college game. According to Brisson, Jones was leaning toward college before Christmas, when the University of North Dakota held an edge over Boston U.

After the holidays, his emphasis shifted to major junior, but when Everett fired GM Doug Soetaert in early February, a bond was severed. The Silvertips ended up trading away Jones’ rights two months later to the Winterhawks. “Seth had developed a really good relationship with Doug,” Brisson says. “When he was let go, we started to look at Portland as a viable option.”

None of which is fun news for Everett fans, who recently watched their underdog Tips give Jones and the Hawks all they could handle in a first round playoff series that went six games. “It was significant for me,” Jones says. “Their fans booed every time I touched the puck and cheered every time I got hit – all that good stuff.”

There’s a hint of pride in Jones’ voice when he says this. Perhaps it’s because Portland had its wings clipped by the WHL this season when an investigation concluded players were given perks outside of league rules, such as extra flights into town for parents and free cell phones for captains.

Coach-GM Mike Johnston was suspended for the duration of the season, with assistant and former NHLer Green taking over in the interim. “We were all down and upset for Mike,” Jones says. “Travis really brought us together. A lot of teams hate us and we had to keep it together.”

But it’s the poise Jones possesses once he doffs his skates that makes him suited for the pressure and hype of being the No. 1 prospect in the draft. “He’s equally impressive off the ice,” Green says. “You wouldn’t know if he was in his draft year, not eligible yet or already signed to a pro team. He’s just one of the guys. He obliges every media request and just takes it in stride.”

Growing up around his pro athlete father plays a role. Popeye’s kid has always extolled the virtues of extra work off the ice, something he learned from watching his dad. And when it comes to handling the pressure and hype of being a famous teen, it’s helpful to have been around a pro environment. “If a kid’s eyes are wide open, they can absorb a lot,” Brisson says. “They have a fresh buffet in front of them, it just depends on how they handle it.”

So when Jones’ name is called – and hometown teams Colorado and Dallas may be doing the picking – you can be assured he will stride up on stage with a smile on his face and confidence in himself. The weight of the No. 1 mantle is something he is willing to take on.