Seth Jones First Black Hockey Player Drafted No. 1 Overall In NHL Draft?

The son of former NBA player Popeye Jones could soon become the first African-American to be drafted No. 1 overall in the NHL.

Beyond his riveting skill set, Seth Jones, 18, is being praised for his maturity and confidence. Add those intangibles to a 6-4, 200 pound frame, and it’s not hard to figure out just why Jones is standing out in the eyes of so many team evaluators heading into Sunday’s NHL Draft.

"I hate to put this on his lap, but I can see him becoming a Chris Pronger type," Phil Housley, the highest-scoring U.S.-born defenseman in NHL history and the man who coached the teen in the recent world junior championships, told USA Today. "He will be physical at the right times to keep everyone honest. He will play in all situations, and at some point in his career he could be the top defenseman in the league."

Jones first took to the game when he lived with his family in Denver and stayed with it even the family moved to the much warmer climate of Texas.

"I'm grateful that I had a dad who let me do what I like to do," Jones told the newspaper, stressing that his dad never pressured him to give basketball a try. "He loves the sport now," he said of hockey.

The Colorado Avalanche own the first pick in the draft and are said to have Jones among those on their radar. Nashville Predators general manager David Poile, who picks No. 4, has called Jones was the best player in the draft.

"He's the whole package," he told USA Today. "He has size; he's got great skating; he's got offensive abilities. He's certainly going to be an aggressive player. He can be a Norris Trophy winner."

Jones played for Portland (Ore.) in the Western Hockey League and had 14 goals and 56 points in 61 games. He had 15 points in 21 playoff games.

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