The Utah Mammoth announced this week that they have signed defenseman Zac Jones to a two‑year, two‑way contract, a move that underscores the team’s intent to bolster its blue line with a proven offensive mind.
Breakout season in Rochester
Jones arrives after a standout campaign with the Rochester Americans of the AHL, where he tallied 10 goals and 52 assists in 60 games, topping the league in assists, power‑play assists and power‑play points.
NHL experience and international play
The 25‑year‑old has already logged parts of five NHL seasons with the New York Rangers, including a career‑high 46 games in the 2024‑25 season, and he brings a decorated international résumé that includes bronze medals at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship and the 2021 IIHF World Championship.
Collegiate and junior roots
Jones’ collegiate career at UMass culminated in a national championship, earned him Second Team All‑American honors, and preceded his recognition as USHL Rookie of the Year in 2018‑19, a trajectory that began with a third‑round selection by the Rangers in the 2019 NHL Draft.
Implications for the Mammoth
The deal not only adds depth to Utah’s defensive corps but also injects a player whose blend of size, skating and offensive instincts could accelerate the Mammoth’s push for a playoff berth, while the organization’s partnership with the Rochester Americans and Tri‑City Storm provides a clear development pathway.