FUTURE WATCH: Jones key to guiding Winterhawks

In the Portland Winterhawks' dressing room, the team Head Coach Mike Johnston is steering back to powerhouse status, Caleb Jones - brother to former Winterhawk and current Columbus Blue Jacket Seth Jones - is a quiet authoritative figure.
Jones was called to the NHL Draft podium by the Oilers in the fourth round, 117th overall, in 2015 and is the first to admit he isn't the most outspoken player on his team. Being loud or boisterous simply isn't his nature. Rather, the left-shooting, two-way defenceman from Arlington, TX chooses to lead his young squad by illustration. Jones' leadership attributes are palpable, influencing his Winterhawks with his on and off-ice characteristics, rather than with the volume of his voice.
"He definitely has a presence (in the room)," said Johnston, who also coached Seth in Portland. "He carries himself well. You can tell."
Jones is one of seven players born in 1997 on the Winterhawks roster. The 6-foot-1 blueliner was expected to be a point of reference for the budding 'Hawks this season. That aspect of his game wasn't forced upon the team, though, and came naturally for his junior hockey colleagues.
"I got voted an 'A' which is nice that I got respect from my teammates and they see me as a leader," said Jones, who has recorded 20 points in 24 games played this season. "I'm not the most vocal guy, but I try to lead by example and do things on the ice during the game."

The youthful Winterhawks squad has had an up-and-down 2016-17 season, reinforcing the need for the veterans to maintain their guiding mentorship on the rest of the players. So far this campaign, the Winterhawks have suffered a nine-game losing streak, but also amassed two three-game winning streaks.
"He's right, he's not a real vocal guy, he's not a 'ra-ra' type of guy," said Johnston, who believes Jones' qualities were inherited from his father, Ronald Jerome 'Popeye' Jones.
"Whether we're winning or losing, he's pretty even keeled. He doesn't get too emotional or too rattled."
Jones has his own methods of resonating with his teammates. He exercised it during the dismal losing streak.
"During that it was more about trying just to keep guys to stay positive and know that we're going to get through it because we were so close to winning so many of those games," he said. "Keep the young guys from really folding in and kind of calling it quits."
The Winterhawks eventually ceased their losing ways. They hammered the Calgary Hitmen 9-2, scoring as many goals as their consecutive losses. It was a statement, and the team has played steady hockey ever since. They even beat the strong Prince George Cougars 6-3, proving they can topple high-powered clubs.
"I hope that win really gives us all the confidence we need to know that we're a great team and we can compete with anyone," Jones said.

For the Winterhawks to contend with the best and return to the upper echelon of the league, their seasoned veterans will have to be at their best. That means they will often have to play in unfavourable situations and log big minutes on the ice. On some nights, the Winterhawks dress only one right-shot defenceman, forcing their left-shooters to migrate to the right side. Jones is included in that move, and although it's a challenge, he's made the most of it.
"I've gotten used to it," Jones said. "I can get some one-timers (off), there's also little things I can do like fakes at the blueline on my right side that I couldn't do on my left side."
Johnston praises Jones' dexterity in the Winterhawks' lineup.
"He's smart," he said. "He's one of our smarter defencemen that can handle moving back and forth, right and left."
Having that ability on Jones' resume won't go unnoticed when he vies to make it in the National Hockey League (NHL). Jones experienced a pre-season game with the Oilers this past September, partnering up alongside his friend and fellow Western Hockey League (WHL) defenceman Ethan Bear.
"That was a little nerve-racking," Jones admitted. "It was fun, though. Especially with him (Ethan), both of us were a little nervous (but) it ended well."
The main takeaway Jones took from his NHL tryout was the strength of the players. He's been putting in overtime, working out at the gym to get on par with players in the League, to eventually join the ranks of his brother, whose hockey path has been eerily similar.
Both Jones brothers played for the Dallas Stars under-16 club, for the U.S. National under-17 and under-18 team, as well as the Winterhawks. They may never play on the same NHL team, but they could end up playing against one another.
Until then, Jones will continue aiding the Winterhawks chances at becoming the dominant WHL team they were a few years back when they made it to the WHL Final four times in four years from 2010-2014. The hope is they can win a championship like they did in 2012-13, a team Seth was a part of.
"I think he's going to be a good NHL player," Johnston said. "Will he be as good as Seth? It's going to be close."