Zac Jones, a 25-year-old defenseman, has agreed to a two-year, two-way contract with the Utah Mammoth, a move that caps a season that many analysts are already calling a breakout.
A Season of Record-Setting Production
During his tenure with the Rochester Americans in the American Hockey League, Jones posted 10 goals and 52 assists, amassing a career-high 62 points in just 60 games. His 52 assists more than doubled his previous AHL best, while his 36 power-play assists topped the league.
The statistical surge earned him First Team AHL All-Star honors and a spot on the North Division roster for the All-Star Classic, where he was recognized as the league’s most valuable playmaker among blueliners.
Jones also led all AHL defensemen in shots on goal, underscoring his willingness to join the attack and generate scoring chances. The performance marked the first time he had reached such offensive heights at any level of his career.
College Roots and National Triumph
Prior to turning professional, Jones helped the University of Massachusetts capture its first national championship in 2020-21, earning Second Team All-American recognition and a place on the Hockey East and NCAA All-Tournament teams.
His NHL résumé includes 115 games with the New York Rangers, where he contributed four goals and 24 assists. In the 2024-25 season he appeared in a career-high 46 games, ranking seventh among Rangers defensemen in scoring with 11 points.
The Mammoth’s management view the signing as a low-risk opportunity to add a skilled, puck-moving defenseman who brings both offensive upside and proven NHL experience.