(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)
Katharine “Kat” Jones is as tough as they come when women’s hockey hits the ice. As Jones readies to return to the ice for the first time in nearly a year this Friday against Grand Canyon University, it will be the culmination of an emotional journey since tearing her ACL October 26, 2017 — doing something that many would consider improbable.
“I injured my knee in my high school’s annual powder puff flag football game,” she laughed. “It’s a once a year thing my high school does to raise money for charity, and I tore it then.”
The Pittsburgh native shrugged off the injury and continued her daily routine of driving to school, walking around, simply being her normal self. It wasn’t until she got results from the doctor when she realized her future was potentially in doubt.
“I came home from school; my mom was making my dad’s birthday present so it was early November,” Jones recalled. “[My mom] said the doctor had called and said that I tore my ACL. When it happened, I felt the pop, I felt everything that happens when you tear your ACL. But I didn’t think I did anything too bad. So I cried. I cried a lot. I was absolutely devastated.”
The next nine months of adversity were the ultimate test of perseverance for Jones.
“My surgeon told me I had a 43 percent chance of going back to the hockey player I once was,” Jones said.
As a senior at Plum Senior High School in Pittsburgh, she produced a successful 2017-18 season throughout the month of September, playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 19U Girls Elite team.
After sustaining the injury, Jones wasn’t sure if she would ever be able to reach her pinnacle of playing Division I hockey.
“There were days when I thought I couldn’t do it,” she admitted. “The first couple times I got on the ice, I was hesitant and nervous that I would not be able to get back to where I was before. But with practice and time, it’s possible.”
Any injury is an uphill battle, but a significant knee injury can be a mental recovery just as much as it is a physical recovery, especially for an athlete.
“Physical recovery is a lot of physical therapy, a lot of gym time for strengthening the muscles around your knee,” Jones said. “Mentally, it was a breakthrough for me because it made me appreciate what I can do … I took it for granted that I could skate every day. Nine months without it gave me an appreciation.”
Penn State University was a top choice for Jones when looking at potential schools to attend; however, she had her eyes set on the Valley of the Sun.
“My dad randomly brought up Arizona State. So, I looked at the website, the campus, and thought it was absolutely beautiful,” the psychology major said. “The weather here is amazing. Plus, I was looking for a fresh start away from everybody I knew. [Arizona State] just seemed perfect.
ASU took a chance on Jones when they brought her aboard — regardless of the injury — unknown as to whether she would return as the same, impactful player she once was. Head coach Lindsey Ellis has total confidence in Jones’ abilities.
“We have a lot of confidence in her,” Ellis said. “She will be in the starting lineup on Friday, so I think that says a lot about her work ethic to come back from an injury like that. We have confidence that she will come back to her full potential.”
It’s not just the head coach that believes Jones can make an impact, but her teammates as well. Starting goaltender Jordan Nash-Boulden has complete trust in Jones and how she will perform.
“We’ve been nothing but impressed with her,” Nash-Boulden said. “She’s a great person and a super hard worker. She brings positivity in the locker room… Seeing where she came from is nothing short of an inspiration, so we’re lucky to have her.”
It has been a year since Jones last stepped onto the ice with her team. This time, however, she will be entering the arena with an ASU jersey on. For the freshman, it means that recovery is complete and the season is right around the corner.
“I just want to be an impactful player,” Jones said. “I want to have an impact on this team. I just want to do what I possibly can to bring success to this team.”
Friday night, the Sun Devils will have their first test. They will face off against rival GCU and Jones is locked in.
“I’m ready,” she confidently said. “I’ve been waiting for this for months. I’m totally ready to go. I haven’t been this excited in the longest time. So, I’m ready to go.”
From the determination in her eyes and her precision in practice, Jones appears crisp and seems to have not missed a step from her time away from the game.
Unfortunately, with all of the determination Jones possesses for this upcoming season, she has to miss one event that will haunt the back of her mind.
“Twenty One Pilots is my favorite band,” she said. The band will be in Arizona in November, but ASU Women’s Hockey will not. “We have games [in Colorado].”
Jones is solely focused and determined on success with her team — even if it means missing her favorite band performing in her current city.
For the forward, it has been quite a year. She battled through the tribulation of a career-altering injury that easily could have ended her hockey career. Instead, she is now living her dream as she will strive to heat up the offense for the Arizona State Sun Devils this season.
