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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.