Ottawa Senators assistant coach Bob Jones diagnosed with ALS
Ottawa Senators assistant coach Bob Jones has been diagnosed with ALS, the team announced Tuesday.
“A devoted member of our family, Bob Jones, has been diagnosed with ALS,” Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said in a news release. “Bob and his family’s wishes are to take the courageous step of making his condition public in an effort to drive ALS awareness as he fights this disease.”
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a disease that progressively paralyzes people because the brain is no longer able to communicate with the muscles of the body.
Jones, 53, is in his fourth season as an assistant coach with the Senators. He coached in the American Hockey League and Ontario Hockey League for more than 20 seasons before joining the Senators in 2019.
"It's tough. I coached with him for years in Windsor, I've known him for a long time," Senators head coach D.J. Smith told reporters on Tuesday. "The players love him. … He's just a guy that's cared about players for decades."
Smith said Jones will have the freedom to come and go from the rink as needed.
"He wants to be around, I think for his mental health, joking with the guys and keeping his spirits up rather than just going home," he said.
"There's a different bond between assistant coaches and players than head coaches and players. He has a bond with every one of those guys."
Senators captain Brady Tkachuk said Jones has played a major role in his development as a pro.
"It's definitely heartbreaking. For me individually, Jonesy's been there for me and helped me get to where I'm at today," he said. "He's a great person, a great coach to our team, and we're all just thinking about him and his family."
Dorion said the team has been working with Jones and his family since he learned of his diagnosis.
"While Bob will continue with his coaching duties, he has the full support of the organization to take any time he needs away from the club during the season to concentrate on his health and his family.”
The Jones family is asking those considering contributions to donate to the ALS Society of Canada and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Jones, his wife Paige and their two children Blake and Brianna live in Tecumseh, Ont. in the offseason.
"The Senators family stands united by Bob’s side and the organization is asking the entire hockey community for its encouragement, prayers and support," the news release said.
In a statement, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said the thoughts and well wishes of the entire league are with Jones and his family.
"We admire his courage in making his battle with ALS public and we will support him and his family in this fight."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.