Rowan University’s Center for Sports Communication and Social Impact welcomed Philadelphia Flyers’ President of Hockey Operations, Keith Jones, on Monday as their first guest for Pizza with the Pros of the spring semester. Jones spoke with students about his life and career, including his roles in the Flyers organization and his duties on his farm. To begin the conversation, Jones spoke about his time playing hockey, noting his early start at the age of six.
“I was passionate about it all the way through, especially as a young person,” Jones said. “Then, around my teenage years, I bloomed late; I was smaller, and guys had grown way past me.”
Although he was able to live his dream of having a career in the NHL, Jones noted the bumps and challenges along the way.
As a college student, Jones initially pursued a physical education major before switching to communications. One of his struggles was speaking in front of people, which made him once again change his course of study to sociology. However, the Western Michigan University graduate later used his quick stint in communications to begin a career in broadcasting following the end of his hockey career.
“I started off really poorly. I was sweating through my suits, I was uncomfortable,” Jones said. “I knew I was no good because I was one of those people who watched the guys on TV and ripped them all the time.”
Realizing that national hockey broadcasting wasn’t meant for him, Jones switched over to local coverage, landing him a spot at Comcast SportsNet (NBC Sports Philadelphia), where he spent 23 years as a studio analyst for the Flyers. While he enjoyed his career, Jones had the opportunity to begin a new venture with the team he spent many years with on the ice.
“It was something I was not looking to do,” Jones said. “I was working for TNT and doing the Flyers games, and it just started with a conversation with our CEO, Dan Hilfrey.”
Jones explained to students that it was a conversation that piqued his interest, and he began looking into the transition. At the time, he was living in Florida and traveling to cover the Flyers and other games with TNT. After a long process, Jones decided he was interested in becoming the president of hockey operations and took the opportunity.
While speaking on his current role in the Flyers’ front office, Jones also touched on his relationship with the hockey team’s CEO. From there, he highlighted the day-to-day activities that it takes to build a team with Hilfrey, including the scouting and communication involved. Over the years, the two have built a strong relationship, which Jones says makes it so easy to work alongside Hilfrey.
After spending years in both positions throughout his career, students in attendance were eager to know some of the life lessons Jones learned over the years, and which one stood out to him the most.
“Be the person they talk to…you want to make a good impression,” Jones said.
He further explained to students that it’s important to be the one who stands out when communicating with certain professionals. Jones encouraged students to make a good first impression, while also taking the time to listen to what is being said, rather than jumping to the next part of the conversation.
“It’s not an easy thing, and sometimes you might be acting,” Jones said. “But you want to make people feel like they want to hang out with you.”
Before ending his conversation, Jones told students that they should get involved right away in the career path that they are chasing and utilize the connections they have made up until that point.
“I never said no to a job,” Jones said. “I did radio for a year for free, and that evolved into a 21-year career.”
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