Seth Jones is a defenseman for the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League. The 6-foot-4, 205-pounder has solid athletic bloodlines -- his father, Popeye Jones, played 11 seasons in the NBA. The top-ranked player in NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters eligible for the 2013 NHL Draft, Jones was taken with the No. 4 pick by the Nashville Predators. He was named the best professional prospect in the WHL and helped the United States win the gold medal at the 2013 World Junior Championship. Jones has offered to maintain a blog for NHL.com that chronicled his season leading up to the 2013 NHL Draft.
NEWARK, N.J. -- What an amazing day.
I actually slept good last night. I woke up around 8 o'clock. Went and ate breakfast with the family at the prospect breakfast in the hotel. Then I just kind of sat around for two or three hours and waited. And waited. And waited.
It felt like the time was going by really slow. It felt like it was never going to come around.
I got to the arena and did a couple interviews, then I sat down with my family.
I was happy for Nate MacKinnon to go No. 1. He's a great kid. I had a chance to room with him six or seven times now in a span of four years. If I wanted to choose someone to go first, it would be him. I'm very happy for him.
After that, it was more waiting. Each team had three minutes to choose and it felt like each three minutes was multiplied by five. I was just trying to stay positive.
I had to wait until the fourth pick, but I'm extremely happy with where I am. I'm pretty familiar with Phil Housley. I'm glad I'll be playing under Shea Weber.
It's been a long journey to now and it's finally over and we can finally start a new chapter.
Follow Seth Jones on Twitter: @seth_jones03
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