Ottawa Senators coach tragically passes at 54 years old after battle with ALS

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Tyler Ball
July 26, 2024 (6:51 PM)

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This evening some tragic news has come to light that has left the hockey community mourning the loss of an assistant coach on the Ottawa Senators.

Tonight an announcement was made on X by Shawn Simpson confirming the tragic passing of assistant coach of the Ottawa Senators Bob Jones.

So sad to hear that my former @OHLHoundPower mate Bob Jones has passed away. He was such a great person and kind to everyone in his life. This is really hard to believe. Sending love to his family.

Bob Jones' passing comes as a sad shock after he had been battling ALS for the last year. In 2023 he publicly announced he was battling against ALS and received an outpouring of support and love from the hockey community.

«It's a horrible disease, but we're creating awareness and we're gonna get a cure one day»

After courageously going public with his ALS diagnosis, @Senators assistant coach Bob Jones sat down with @SNChrisSimpson to share his story.

Bob Jones is one of the kindest, funniest and most gentle people you'll ever meet. Brave of him and his family to share his ALS diagnosis to help others. He's on the job today. #Sens

In his coaching career, Bob Jones worked his way up from the OHL where he coached with the Sault Saint Marie Greyhounds, Sudbury Wolves, Windsor Spitfires, and Oshawa Generals. After that time in junior hockey, he was hired as an assistant coach with the Texas Stars in the AHL. One year in the NHL was long enough to earn Bob Jones a promotion to the NHL with the Ottawa Senators where he remained for the rest of his career.

Our condolences and thoughts go out to Bob Jones' family, friends, and colleagues as well as the Ottawa Senators organization. Bob Jones was seen as an inspiration throughout the hockey community and that will continue long past this tragic day.