A Strategic Addition for the Mammoth
The Utah Mammoth announced today that they have signed defenseman Zac Jones to a two-year, two-way contract that guarantees an NHL salary of $875,000. The deal reflects the club’s intent to blend youthful talent with proven reliability as they aim to climb the Western Conference standings.
Jones arrives after a breakout 2025-26 season with the Rochester Americans, where he posted 62 points — 10 goals and 52 assists — across 60 games and led all AHL defensemen in scoring. His performance earned him First Team All-Star honors and a spot on the North Division roster for the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic, while also topping the league in assists and power-play production.
The 25-year-old’s offensive contributions are matched by his NHL pedigree. He has appeared in parts of five seasons with the New York Rangers, compiling 28 points and 38 penalty minutes in 115 career games, and he set career highs with 11 points and 10 assists during the 2024-25 campaign. His ability to generate takeaways and control power-play ice time adds a sophisticated layer to the Mammoth’s defensive corps.
International Experience and Accolades
On the international stage, Jones helped Team USA secure a bronze medal at the 2021 IIHF World Championship and represented his country at the 2020 World Junior Championship. He also played a pivotal role on the University of Massachusetts team that captured the program’s first NCAA championship in 2020-21, earning All-Tournament honors as a sophomore.
Selected in the third round of the 2019 NHL Draft, Jones has steadily progressed from college standout to AHL star and now NHL-ready prospect. His consistent development suggests he could become a cornerstone on the Mammoth’s blue line for years to come.