Alvin Jones

Alvin "Buck" Jones was a stocky defenseman out of Owen Sound, Ontario.

He went to a lengthy pro and senior career, though it started in the unlikeliest of places. Buck Jones' first three pro seasons were played with the Harringay Greyhounds in the British Hockey League.

He returned to North American and established himself as an AHL level defenseman. He had several brief stints with both the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs prior to - like so many other players of that era - having his career interrupted by World War II. He served as a soldier in the Canadian Army.

Jones returned to hockey upon his discharge, but never to the National Hockey League. He continued to play until 1954 when he retired and decided to get about as far away from hockey as one could in those days. He moved to Tampa Bay, Florida.

When he arrived Jones never could have imagined this city would be caught up in a Stanley Cup championship half a century later. Not that Jones was too worried about hockey once he arrived. He found a job with a local department store where he worked loyally for 29 years. He also spent 15 years as an auxiliary volunteer at Tampa General Hospital and was active in his church.