Jones on second all-star selection: 'It means a lot'

BUFFALO - The guy who flies under the radar when pundits talk about the best defensemen in the NHL, Seth Jones, is going back to the All-Star Game.
Jones, 23, was the Blue Jackets' lone selection for the 2018 Honda NHL All-Star Game, which will be played Jan. 28 at Amalie Arena, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning. He was informed Wednesday by Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen, before the Jackets bused from Toronto to Buffalo for practice at KeyBank Arena.
"It means a lot," said Jones, who's second on the team with 28 points (seven goals, 21 assists). "As a team, it seems like we've been through a lot this year. We're plugging along, and I try to be a leader for our team every night."

Jones made his All-Star debut last season, when he and goalie Sergei Bobrovsky were selected to the Metro's roster for the game held at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Cam Atkinson was later added as an injury replacement for Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeny Malkin, and the Jackets' trio helped the Metro win the 3-on-3 tournament.
Jones is looking forward to playing in that format a second time, as opposed to merely resting at home or taking a vacation in late January.
"I think it's an honor being selected, and only so many guys get to do it every year - three defensemen from the Metro," he said. "In a division like we have, with a lot of great players, it's a true honor to be selected."
Bobrovsky wasn't selected, as the Metro's goalies will be Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers and Washington's Braden Holtby. Jones will sport the only Blue Jackets' jersey during the skills contest on Saturday, Jan. 27, and wear the only Jackets logo the following day.
Earlier this week in Toronto, Columbus coach John Tortorella praised Jones' growth as a player and leader, and said he feels the young blue-liner still doesn't get enough credit nationally.
"He has the skating ability, he has the length of his body, hands, he has everything that you need to be a top player, and I think he's showing that," Tortorella said. "I do think he goes a little under the radar. We're with him every day. We see it more than other people, but he's turned into a guy that wants to lead the way, and I think that's helped his offensive numbers."
Jones said he isn't concerned about his national profile. Acknowledgement around the locker room is just fine by him.
"That's more important than any status you can have," he said. "However many All-Star Games I make, or don't make, as long as I'm doing my best for the team and it helps us get closer to a Stanley Cup, that's what our ultimate goal is eventually."