AP Photo Anaheim's Max Jones (right) celebrates during the regular season in St. Paul, Minn.

ANAHEIM — Max Jones knew his first NHL goal would be the hardest for him to get.

Jones, the son of 1983 Fort Dodge Senior High icon Mary Fischbach-Bailey, found the back of the net in the third period for the Anaheim Ducks vs. the Montreal Canadians on March 8.

The goal was part of an 8-2 victory for the Ducks inside the Honda Center.

“It just happened so fast. I knew the period was running down and I had my last chance to take it,” Jones said. “I decided to go with it and see what I can do.

“So much pressure and stress was on my shoulders just from trying to get that first one. It’s the same thing that happened to me in the AHL a couple years back in the playoffs. Same thing in the OHL. I know how it feels.”

Jones, who grew up in Michigan, first hit the big time when he scored five goals and 10 points for the U.S. National Development Team in the 2014-16 season. He was selected a year later in the first round by the London Knights of the OHL.

Over his four-year career in the USHL, OHL and AHL, Jones scored 64 goals with 48 assists. His father, Brad Jones, played 148 NHL games for three different teams in the Winnipeg Jets, Los Angeles Kings and Philadelphia Flyers.

The 21-year-old Jones added a second career goal on April 3 vs. Calgary. He finished his first season with two goals and three assists.

“It’s special to me,” Jones said. “I grew up watching a lot of these guys, so for them to celebrate your first goal is pretty cool. Coming to the locker room, everyone congratulating you and giving you hugs. It was a very special moment.

“It’s nice to be liked by the team. It was a really cool moment for me. I’m going to cherish it forever.”