Detroit Red Wings
Former NHL Assistant Coach Falls to ALS
Jones Was 1989 Red Wings draft pick and a long-time friend of Bob Boughner

Former Ottawa Senators Assistant Coach Bob Jones has lost his battle against ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He was 54.
Jones was a long-time friend of Detroit Red Wings assistant coach Bob Boughner. They played together as defensive partners on the Ontario Hockey League’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. They then coached together, helping the Windsor Spitfires to multiple Memorial Cup titles.
Both Boughner and Jones were drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in 1989, with Boughner taken in the second round and Jones landing in the ninth. Only Boughner made the show as a player, although it was not with the Red Wings. But they both made the NHL as coaches.
Jones was in his fourth season as a Senators assistant coach when he was diagnosed with ALS in December of 2022.
“The entire Senators’ organization is thinking of Bob’s loved ones. (We are) sending our sincere condolences to his family,” said Senators owner Michael Andlauer. “For both our current players and for the members of our staff who had the privilege of working with Bob, his loss brings considerable sorrow. Bob will be fondly remembered. For having a true joy for life and for his determined commitment to routinely help better individual players and all hockeym organizations for which he worked.”
Benefit Game
Last August, Boughner set up an NHL charity benefit game for Jones and the cause of eliminating ALS. It was held in Windsor’s WFCU Arena
Jones was brought to tears when he was honored with a standing ovation in a pre-game ceremony. More than 6,000 people attended the game and $202,000 was raised before the opening faceoff.
Several of their former Spitfires players who’ve gone on to starring roles in the NHL returned for this charity event. The list includes Taylor Hall (Boston Bruins), Adam Henrique and Cam Fowler (Anaheim Ducks), Gabe Vilardi (Los Angeles Kings), Zack Kassian (Arizona Coyotes) and Mikhail Sergachev (Tampa Bay Lightning)