Jori Jones Obituary: Gustavus Goalie Dies in Car Crash, Hockey Community Pays Tribute

Jori Jones Obituary, Gustavus Goalie Dies in a Car Crash, hockey Community Pays Tribute:- The hockey world is mourning the loss of Jori Jones, a talented and beloved goalie who played for Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota. Jones, 19, was killed in a car crash on Sunday, August 20, 2023, while returning from a team trip with three of her teammates. The accident occurred at a rural intersection in west-central Minnesota, where Jones’ car collided with another vehicle. The three other Gustavus players and the driver of the other car survived with non-life-threatening injuries.

Who was Jori Jones?

Jori Jones was a sophomore at Gustavus Adolphus College, a private liberal arts college in St. Peter, Minnesota. She was a member of the women’s hockey team, which won the Division III NCAA national championship in March 2023, the first in the school’s history. Jones was a backup goalie who appeared in four games during the season, posting a 2-0 record with a 1.00 goals-against average and a .944 save percentage.

Jones was born in Little Canada, Minnesota, and grew up playing hockey for the Roseville Area Youth Hockey Association, where her father was also a coach. She graduated from Roseville Area High School in 2022, where she was a four-year letter winner and an all-conference honoree. She also played soccer and lacrosse in high school.

Jones was described by her coaches, teammates, and friends as a kind, positive, and genuine person who had an infectious smile and a passion for hockey. She was also a dedicated student who excelled academically and planned to major in biology at Gustavus.

How did the hockey community react to Jori Jones’ death?

The news of Jori Jones’ death shocked and saddened the hockey community, both locally and nationally. Many people expressed their condolences and support to Jones’ family and the Gustavus hockey program on social media and other platforms.

Some of the tributes that were posted online include:

The Minnesota Wild, the state’s NHL team, tweeted: “Today, we are leaving our sticks out for Jori Jones, her family and friends, the Roseville hockey community, and the Gustavus Adolphus College community. 💚 🏒️ ❤️ #SticksOutForJori”

The Gustavus Adolphus College Athletics Department issued a statement saying: “We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Jori Jones. She was an exceptional student-athlete who represented Gustavus with grace and excellence on and off the ice. She was a cherished member of our Gustie family and will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jori’s family, friends, teammates, and coaches during this difficult time.”

The Roseville Area Youth Hockey Association president Gretchen Hopeman wrote on Facebook: “We are devastated to share the tragic news of Jori Jones, a beloved Raider Alumni and current Gustavus Student Athlete, who tragically lost her life in a recent car accident. Jori was a talented athlete and a beautiful soul, known for her infectious smile and genuine spirit.”

The head coach of the Gustavus women’s hockey team Mike Carroll told the Star Tribune: “She was just an incredible kid. She had such an impact on our team. She was always upbeat, always positive. She was everybody’s best friend.”

What are some facts about Jori Jones’ car accident?

Here is a table summarizing some of the key facts about Jori Jones’ car accident:

Fact	Description
Date and time	Sunday, August 20, 2023 at 12:41 p.m.
Location	Grace Township, Chippewa County, Minnesota
Intersection	Highway 40 and Highway 29
Vehicles involved	Chevrolet Equinox (driven by Gianna Gasparini) and Dodge Caravan (driven by Brandi Rasmussen)
Cause	One of the drivers failed to stop at a four-way stop sign
Injuries	Jori Jones (fatal), Gianna Gasparini (non-life-threatening), Kayla Bluhm (non-life-threatening), Lily Mortenson (non-life-threatening), Brandi Rasmussen (non-life-threatening)
Investigation	Ongoing by the Minnesota State Patrol