Staff

Born and raised in Fridley, MN Shawn grew up playing competitive hockey. 3-year varsity lettermen at Fridley High School.  He received a full hockey scholarship to University of Alaska-Fairbanks and graduated in 1985 from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks with a Pre Law Degree.

Jones went on to instruct for the USA Hockey coaches’ program in Minnesota which was followed by his appointment as the Head Coach and General Manager of the Omaha Lancers in the USHL for 3 years. He was then hired by the Continental Hockey League as Assistant General Manager in Cleveland, OH.

In 1992 Jones took on the role of Executive Director of the National Inline Hockey Association and built the organization to 350,000 members before selling the organization to USA Hockey in 1997.  Jones jumped back into ice hockey world by accepting the role as General Manager of the Knoxville Cherokees in the ECHL and he successfully moved the team to Florence, SC. where they became the PeeDee Pride in the ECHL.

Jones took on the role of commissioner for a professional inline roller hockey league named Major League Roller Hockey for two seasons. He served as General Manager of the Tupelo Trex in the WPHL appointed by the league. Shawn has 14 plus years of leading and running multiple businesses and is a master’s level coach with USA Hockey and the CHA.

Jones brings a strong business and hockey acumen to the Minnesota Northern Lights and the FPHL.

Thonya loves God and loves people. She is married to her prince charming, Scott. They have 3 children, Nick (32), Tanner (30), DeLainey (25), 5 grandchildren and twin puppies who just turned 3.

Thonya states “Working for this non-profit organization is an amazing adventure. I love my job; I mean who doesn’t love hockey and bringing a community together!  She is the most excited for the opportunities this will bring to her community and surrounding communities.