Welcome to this edition of "From The Archive". In this recurring series, we open The Hockey News' vault and display some of the top WHL-related articles from the past. Today's article comes from May 1, 2012, where Ryan Kennedy [https://thehockeynews.com/news/author/rkennedy] wrote about former Portland Winterhawks' defenceman Seth Jones. Subscribe now to view the full THN Archives here [https://archive.thehockeynews.com/] and read the full issue here. [https://archive.thehockeynews.com/issue/187407] THE BIG DECISION, DRAFT PREVIEW 2012, MAY 1, 2012 Seth Jones is always prepared. His October birthday means he’ll wait an extra year before becoming eligible for the draft. Playing up with national team development program’s under-18 team gave him a legitimate shot at making Team USA’s national junior team this season. His birthright as the son of ex-NBA player Popeye Jones is that lessons in being an elite athlete are burned in: “Nothing comes easy,” Jones said. “Nothing is going to be handed to you on a platter. It’s what people don’t see, what you do in practice, that matters.” Jones just makes it look easy. Already 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, he brings so many looks to the blueline that his coach struggles to single out a strength. “I can just say ‘everything,’” said Danton Cole. “He passes well, he shoots well, he has a knack for knowing when to make a play and when to jump into the rush. On the defensive end, he sees the game. He’s not overly physical, but he plays the body.” Though he was born in Texas, Jones spent his formative years in Colorado, where he became a big Avs fan. His model NHLer, however, comes from the Red Wings. “Nick Lidstrom,” he said. “I know that’s lofty, but the way he plays the game, he keeps it simple.” Recently, Jones’ life has been rather complex. As the best American prospect yet to commit to a college, the big defender was being courted by the Western League’s Everett Silvertips, which hold his major junior rights, and a number of NCAA schools, most notably North Dakota. Jones sees the benefit of both routes. “With Everett, there’s more games played,” he said. “It’s a similar schedule to the NHL. College would be more developmental. You live in a dorm and you have to grow up a little.” Wherever he ends up, it won’t be for long. Only a shoulder separation kept Jones off Team USA’s national junior squad as a 17-year-old and big expectations have not fazed him. “He’s had a lot on him, but he’s a uniquely prepared young man,” Cole said. “He hasn’t let anything become a distraction.” The Hockey News, Draft Preview 2012 (Photo Credit: The Hockey News Archives) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/d460f84f-a74f-40f0-b977-63a72c82af64.jpeg] The Hockey News, Draft Preview 2012 (Photo Credit: The Hockey News Archives) Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site and add us to your favourites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more from The Hockey News. 2025 WHL Prospect Pools: Minnesota Wild [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/players/2025-whl-prospect-pools-minnesota-wild] Victoria Trades Kraus To Brandon For Eskit & A Pick In The 2029 Draft [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/latest-news/victoria-trades-kraus-to-brandon-for-eskit-a-pick-in-the-2029-draft] From The Archive: 'Pronger-Type' Heads '08 Draft [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/players/from-the-archive-pronger-type-heads-08-draft] 2025 WHL Prospect Pools: Los Angeles Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/players/2025-whl-prospect-pools-los-angeles-kings] 18 Current & Former WHLers Named To Canada’s 2025 World Junior Summer Showcase Roster [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/latest-news/18-current-former-whlers-named-to-canada-s-2025-world-junior-summer-showcase-roster] The Hockey News [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/012ccf22-4ba7-45aa-95c9-f2b780452e03.webp] The Hockey News
