To represent the success of hockey's growth in the United States the past quarter-century, Columbus defenseman Seth Jones could be the perfect poster child.
Consider:
Jones was born in the Dallas area a year after the Stars moved from Minnesota. Then he began playing hockey in Colorado shortly after the Quebec Nordiques arrived and rebranded themselves as the Avalanche. Jones played in the United States National Team Development program and helped the U.S. win gold at the 2013 world junior championships. Later that year, he became the highest-drafted African American player in NHL history at fourth overall.
As he has developed into a perennial All-Star, Jones has played for two franchises that were part of the league's 1990s expansion boom, Nashville and Columbus. His profile will grow even more next year if, as expected, he represents the U.S. at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
But perhaps the clearest way to illustrate Jones' growing magnetism is his endorsement deal with Uncle Bud's, a CBD and hemp company. Uncle Bud's other celebrity partnerships are with an Oscar winner (Jane Fonda), a Grammy winner (Toni Braxton) and a global basketball icon (Magic Johnson).
And now hockey's breakthrough star Seth Jones.
Check out this video with our one-on-one conversation with Jones as he discusses food, his funniest teammate, movies, CBD and more.
Use code POST30 on UncleBudsHemp.com for a 30 percent discount.
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