Team

Betting

FlamesNation has no direct affiliation to the Calgary Flames, Calgary Sports and Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA

Wranglers forward Ben Jones just might be the Flames’ first man up

Photo credit: Photo Credit - Eric Boldt/Calgary Wranglers

By Paige Siewert

Oct 19, 2026, 16:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 19, 2026, 15:56 EDT

Comments

Ben Jones may have been a name you heard a few years ago in the Calgary Wranglers’ first two seasons in the league. A name that was synonymous with scoring and clutch plays when the team needed it most. After going and coming back from the Minnesota Wild organization, Jones has proved once again, that his name and play is something worth recognizing. The way he’s started off this season, he has to be in a very serious conversation about legitimately spending time with the Flames this year.

Jones’ start

Ben Jones got on the board right from the first game of the season and scored his first goal in his second era with the Wranglers in their home match-up against the Bakersfield Condors on Oct 9. Since that goal, he’s scored in every game since. Three of which, have been multi-point games and two of which, are two goal games. In Calgary’s three games last week, he scored four goals and an assist, which would’ve earned him consideration for player of the week had there not been others in the league slightly outscoring him. Ben Jones was also the first player to score a shorthanded goal for the Wranglers this season.

Paige Siewert

@thathockeygirly

·Follow

Who other than Ben Jones? He sneaks this one five hole for his seventh goal of the season

Watch on X

3:30 AM · Oct 18, 2026

History with Wranglers

In Jones’ first year with the team, he was in his third pro season for the Wranglers’ inaugural season in 2022-23. That year, he played in nearly every game with Calgary, just missing one all year. He finished third in points on the team with 54 in 71 games. This was broken down by 17 goals and 37 assists. He was only outscored by Connor Zary, who had 58 points and Matthew Phillips, who had 76 points. Jones would’ve liked to do more in their nine game playoff run, only putting up two points in nine games, but his regular season was quite impressive.

That first season in Calgary was a career year for Jones and still stands as such to date. The following season, his production was more evenly split but did drop by nine points overall. He was able to play in all 72 games and put up 21 goals and 22 assists for a total of 43 points. He was second in team scoring through the regular season only under Adam Klapka, who had 46 points.

Last two seasons in the NHL

From the Wranglers, (the first time) Ben Jones was picked up by the Minnesota Wild organization on a two-year, two-way contract on day one of free agency in 2024. He had already played his first games in the league in the 2021-22 season with the Vegas Golden Knights but in the 2024-25 season and 2025-26 season, he was able to spend much more time in the show. Both seasons were pretty split with him playing 26 games in 2024-25 with the Minnesota Wild and 49 games with the Iowa Wild. He didn’t put up any points in the NHL in this season but had 36 points in his 49 games in the AHL.

Last season, he played in 28 games with Minnesota and captained the Iowa Wild squad. He put up his first NHL goal against the New York Islanders on Jan 10, 2026 and finished with a goal and two assists in his NHL season.

NHL

@NHL

·Follow

FIRST NHL GOAL ALERT! 🚨 One to remember for Ben Jones!

Watch on X

1:20 AM · Jan 11, 2026

1.0K

Read 15 replies

In the AHL, Jones played in 37 games and put up 12 goals and 20 assists for a 32 point total. The Iowa Wild did not qualify for playoffs in either season so Jones has not played in the post-season since being with the Wranglers a few years ago.

The Flames’ first call?

The Flames have previously relied on Dryden Hunt to be one of the first if not the first, call-up when they’re looking for a depth guy with some veteran experience. Jones in the fold now might alter that decision or calling order for this season. Especially since Jones has played quite a few more NHL games in recent years. Both are great options, but Ben Jones seems to be the first guy you’re looking at if the big club needs someone on a moment’s notice. At some point, his performance on its own is worth reconsidering for NHL playing time. Especially if he continues at the pace he has.

For the way this season is going and how the team is wanting to develop their young guys, it makes sense if they want to see more of other guys but at 27 years old, Jones isn’t past his prime by any means. He is on a two-way deal and cleared waivers at the start of the year to be assigned to the Wranglers. He’d be an easy choice, and this time around, it doesn’t seem like he’ll be overlooked for time with the Flames.

PRESENTED BY THE DFO CALGARY NEWSLETTER

Never miss what matters in the game. From lineup changes to breaking trades and must-read analysis, Daily Faceoff Calgary delivers the insight serious hockey fans rely on—straight to your inbox. Sign up for the Daily Faceoff Calgary newsletter!