Zac Jones

Zachary Jones (born October 18, 2000) is an American professional ice hockey player who is a defenseman for the Utah Mammoth of the National Hockey League (NHL). Jones was drafted by the New York Rangers in the third round, 68th overall, of the 2019 NHL entry draft.

Playing career Jones was drafted 68th overall by the New York Rangers at the 2019 NHL entry draft. He won an NCAA championship with the UMass Minutemen in 2020–21 prior to signing a professional contract with the Rangers on April 13, 2021. With his NHL debut Jones became the sixth Virginian to play in the NHL, and the first player from Richmond, Virginia, to be drafted and play in the NHL. Jones recorded his first NHL point with an assist on a goal by Kaapo Kakko in his third NHL game on April 25, against the Buffalo Sabres.

Jones spent most of the 2021–22 season with the Rangers' American Hockey League (AHL), the Hartford Wolf Pack, although he played 12 games for the Rangers. According to Hartford assistant coach Casey Torres, "He was awesome, I thought he was our best player for the entirety of the season. He was so dynamic. He created offense from high and low probability situations. He competed hard. Such great vision on the ice and just a real dynamic presence for us offensively on the back end." On June 16, 2023, Jones signed a two-year contract extension with the Rangers.

Released as a free agent after not being tendered a qualifying offer by the New York Rangers, Jones was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Buffalo Sabres for the 2025–26 season on July 1, 2025. Assigned to AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, Jones recorded 10 goals and 62 points in 60 appearances, earning selection to the AHL First All-Star Team and representing the North Division at his first AHL All-Star Classic.

Unable to feature with the Sabres, Jones left the organization as a free agent and was signed two-year, two-way contract with the Utah Mammoth on July 1, 2026.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2017–18 Selects Academy USPHL 7 2 7 9 2 4 1 1 2 2 2018–19 Tri-City Storm USHL 56 7 45 52 38 6 0 5 5 2 2019–20 UMass-Amherst HE 32 3 20 23 24 — — — — — 2020–21 UMass-Amherst HE 29 9 15 24 8 — — — — — 2020–21 New York Rangers NHL 10 0 4 4 2 — — — — — 2021–22 Hartford Wolf Pack AHL 52 9 26 35 25 — — — — — 2021–22 New York Rangers NHL 12 0 2 2 0 — — — — — 2022–23 Hartford Wolf Pack AHL 54 8 23 31 34 9 2 4 6 8 2022–23 New York Rangers NHL 16 1 1 2 4 — — — — — 2023–24 New York Rangers NHL 31 2 7 9 8 — — — — — 2024–25 New York Rangers NHL 46 1 10 11 24 — — — — — 2024–25 Hartford Wolf Pack AHL 2 1 0 1 0 — — — — — 2025–26 Rochester Americans AHL 60 10 52 62 14 3 0 0 0 0NHL totals 115 4 24 28 38 — — — — —

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2018 United States WJAC 6 1 3 4 2 2020 United States WJC 6th 5 1 1 2 0 2021 United States WC 10 0 3 3 4 Junior totals 11 2 4 6 2 Senior totals 10 0 3 3 4

Awards and honours Award Year RefUSHL All-Rookie Team 2019 Rookie of the Year 2019 Second All-Star Team 2019 College Hockey East All-Rookie Team 2019–20 All-Hockey East Second Team 2020–21 AHCA East Second Team All-American 2020–21 Hockey East All-Tournament Team 2021 NCAA All-Tournament Team 2021 AHL Eddie Shore Award 2026