Hunter Jones Bio
Hunter Jones is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who plays for the Trois-Rivières Lions of the ECHL while under contract to the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League (AHL). He was selected in the second round, 59th overall, by the Minnesota Wild in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Standing 193 cm tall and weighing 93 kg, Jones uses his size and athleticism to cover the net at both the minor professional and developmental levels.
Born on September 21, 2000, Jones has built his career through the Ontario junior ranks before transitioning to professional hockey in North America. He has represented Hockey Canada at multiple international youth tournaments and continues to chase an NHL opportunity within the Montreal Canadiens organization.
Early Life and Background
Hunter Jones was born on September 21, 2000, in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in a hockey-friendly region of southern Ontario and began playing the sport at a young age. His talent surfaced early as he moved through local minor hockey programs and earned a roster spot with the Mississauga Reps U15 AAA of the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL).
Rep hockey in the GTHL is widely regarded as one of the most competitive development pipelines in Canada, and Jones used that stage to sharpen his goaltending skills against top underage talent. His combination of size, positioning, and composure drew the attention of junior scouts across Ontario, paving the way for his move to the Ontario Junior Hockey League.
Path to Professional Hockey
Jones began his junior hockey career with the Stouffville Spirit of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) in 2016–17. In 16 appearances with the Spirit, he posted a 2.74 goals against average and a .917 save percentage, numbers that helped him earn a higher selection in the following OHL Priority Selections draft.
After one season in the OJHL, Jones was drafted by the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He debuted with the Petes in 2017–18 but struggled, appearing in 15 games with a 5.14 goals against average and a .866 save percentage. He rebounded sharply in 2018–19, playing 57 games and registering a 3.31 goals against average and a .902 save percentage. That season he was named the Petes’ most improved player and was invited to the 2019 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.
Hunter Jones Career
Junior Career (2016–2020)
Jones wrapped up his major junior career with the Peterborough Petes during the 2019–20 season. In October 2019, he was named OHL Goaltender of the Month after recording an 8-1-0-0 record with a 2.34 goals against average, a .923 save percentage, and one shutout over nine games. His strong junior résumé included both a CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game selection and conference-wide monthly recognition.
Internationally, Jones first represented Hockey Canada with Team Canada Black at the 2016 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, where he earned a silver medal. Shortly thereafter, he became the first 16-year-old goaltender ever named to the annual World Junior A Challenge, capturing another silver medal with Team Canada East.
Minnesota Wild Era (2019–2024)
Jones was drafted 59th overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and signed a three-year entry-level contract on March 26, 2020. He made his American Hockey League debut with the Iowa Wild in 2020–21, appearing in 19 games and posting a 3.50 goals against average and an .886 save percentage.
On April 17, 2023, during the Stanley Cup playoffs, Wild general manager Bill Guerin announced that Jones had been recalled to serve as Minnesota’s third goaltender. The recall gave him his first taste of NHL duty, even though he did not appear in a postseason game.
Laval Rocket Era (2024–Present)
On July 1, 2024, Jones signed a one-year AHL contract with the Laval Rocket, the top affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens. Prior to the start of the 2024–25 season, he was reassigned to the Trois-Rivières Lions, the Canadiens’ ECHL affiliate, on October 7, 2024. He then helped guide the Lions to the franchise’s first Kelly Cup championship, a milestone moment for both player and organization.
Entering the ensuing offseason as an unrestricted free agent, Jones agreed to a one-year deal to remain with the Rocket organization on July 5, 2025. He once again rejoined Trois-Rivières in October ahead of the 2025–26 season, keeping him in the Canadiens’ goaltending pipeline.
Playing Style and Strengths
Jones is a tall, athletic goaltender who relies on his 193 cm frame to take away the upper portion of the net. He tracks the puck well through traffic and has shown the ability to rebound between difficult junior and professional seasons. His development has been steady, blending technical work with the composure needed to handle high shot volumes in the AHL and ECHL.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jones’ most celebrated professional milestone to date is helping the Trois-Rivières Lions capture their first Kelly Cup championship in 2025. He also earned the distinction of being the first 16-year-old goaltender selected to the World Junior A Challenge and was invited to the prestigious CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game during his draft year.
Hunter Jones Career Wins
Across his junior and professional career, Hunter Jones has collected a series of team and tournament achievements rather than long individual win totals. His junior résumé features conference-wide monthly honours with the Peterborough Petes, two international silver medals with Hockey Canada, and a CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game selection. His most recent and most significant accomplishment is the 2025 Kelly Cup championship with the Trois-Rivières Lions.
Junior and Professional Highlights
Jones’ first major win came at the 2016 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, where he earned a silver medal with Team Canada Black. He added a second silver medal at the World Junior A Challenge with Team Canada East, becoming the youngest goaltender ever invited to that event. His most recent championship is the 2025 Kelly Cup, won with the Trois-Rivières Lions in his first season within the Montreal Canadiens’ system.
Other Wins and Performances
In addition to his championships, Jones was named OHL Goaltender of the Month for October 2019 and the Peterborough Petes’ most improved player for the 2018–19 season. These honours reflect his steady climb through the Ontario junior ranks and his adaptation to the professional game.
Hunter Jones Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Hunter Jones was raised in Brantford, Ontario, in a region with a deep hockey tradition. Details about his parents and any extended family members who played the sport have not been publicly verified, so further information is omitted.
Personal Life
Jones keeps his personal life largely private, and no public information regarding a spouse or children has been confirmed. He continues to focus on his professional development within the Montreal Canadiens organization.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 season marked Jones’ first year within the Montreal Canadiens’ developmental pipeline, as he signed with the Laval Rocket before being assigned to the ECHL’s Trois-Rivières Lions in October. He quickly became a stabilizing force in net and played a central role in the Lions’ run to the franchise’s first Kelly Cup championship, the headline result of his campaign.
Following the championship, Jones entered the offseason as an unrestricted free agent and agreed to a new one-year deal with the Laval Rocket organization on July 5, 2025. That agreement kept him in the Canadiens’ goaltending picture and set up another split-season arrangement between Laval and Trois-Rivières.
Jones rejoined the Trois-Rivières Lions in October ahead of the 2025–26 season, giving the reigning Kelly Cup champions a returning netminder. His outlook within the organization is positive, as he continues to push for more AHL playing time with the Rocket while providing veteran stability at the ECHL level.