OTTAWA — Former Ottawa Senators assistant coach Bob Jones — who played and coached with the Soo Greyhounds before a long career behind the bench in the OHL and NHL — has died, the team announced Friday.
He was 54.
The team didn't provide a cause of death, but the Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., product revealed in January 2023 he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease.
SEE: Jones grateful for support after ALS diagnosis
“I’m trying to create awareness of this horrible disease,” Jones told SooToday in February 2023. “We’ve got to raise money for this until we find a cure.”
The #OHL is saddened by news of the loss of former two-time Memorial Cup champion coach and past defenceman Bob Jones, who passed away on Friday at the age of 54 following a battle with ALS.
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) July 26, 2024
IN MEMORIAM 🪦: https://t.co/ykwCsnrcLQ pic.twitter.com/HMf3JmuIXa
Jones was hired by the Senators in July 2019 as a member of former head coach D.J. Smith's staff.
He joined the club following a long career at other levels, including an Ontario Hockey League tenure that spanned more than 20 seasons.
Jones is survived by his wife, Paige, and their children, Blake and Brianna.
ALS is a progressive nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing a loss of muscle control. It's often called Lou Gehrig's disease, after the Hall of Fame baseball player who was diagnosed in 1939.
Calgary Flames assistant general manager Chris Snow died last September at age 42. He was diagnosed with the disease in January 2020.
The Canadian Press