For the seventh time in Fort Wayne Komets history, there will be a set of brothers to play for the defending Kelly Cup champions when the season rolls around in October.
Twins Kellen and Connor Jones have both agreed to terms on standard player agreements, as the Komets solidify their roster heading into the October 23 opener against the Wheeling Nailers. Both brothers have played for current bench boss Ben Boudreau in the past when he was an assistant coach with the Bakersfield Condors.
Kellen played four seasons of collegiate with the Quinnipiac Bobcats before his first pro season in Oklahoma City in 2014. During the last three seasons, the winger competed in Europe, and this will be his first season back in the United States since he skated with Worchester in 2017-18. During his 85-game stint in the ECHL (which also included one season in Kansas City, Jones amassed a total of 72 points.
Connor, who stands at five-foot-nine, played in four contests with the New York Islanders during the 2016-17 season. Alike his brother, Kellin, he played four collegiate seasons with the Bobcats, where he amassed a total of 129 points. The forward has spent most of his career in the AHL, seeing time with Oklahoma City and Bridgeport before joining his brother overseas in Europe. Connor has played a handful of games in the ECHL, as he suited up with Bakersfield, amassing 26 points on 10 goals and 16 assists.
“Both Connor and Kellen left a long-lasting impression both on and off the ice when I had the pleasure to coach them in their rookie season,” Boudreau said. “Since then, they have gone on to achieve an extremely successful career. Connor and Kellen will be integral for our on and off-ice success. They score, defend and play within the team’s structure that will allow others to be successful. This is a major off-season signing for our veteran group.”
In addition to the Jones brothers, the Komets also added to their blue line, announcing the signing of defenseman Josh Owings. Forward Anthony Nellis has been dealt to the Trois-Rivieres Lions in exchange for cash and future considerations.