Zac Jones Signs with Utah Mammoth After Stellar AHL Season

Zac Jones has finally captured the attention of NHL teams after years of striving for a consistent opportunity. The 25-year-old defenseman transformed the 2025-26 season into a breakout year, showcasing his talent and earning a fresh start with the Utah Mammoth.

Jones emerged as one of the most productive defensemen in the American Hockey League while playing for the Rochester Americans. In an impressive 60-game campaign, he netted 10 goals and provided 52 assists, totaling 62 points. His remarkable performance not only earned him First Team AHL All-Star honors but also a spot representing the North Division at his first AHL All-Star Classic.

What truly set Jones apart this season was his offensive prowess. He led all AHL players in assists and dominated in power-play contributions, finishing first in power-play assists with 36 and power-play points with 38. Among defensemen, he topped the scoring charts and led with 168 shots on goal, illustrating his aggressive style of play and his ability to create scoring opportunities.

This season marked a significant milestone for Jones, who had previously struggled to reach such offensive heights. His 10 goals represent a career-best across junior, collegiate, and professional levels, while his 52 assists more than doubled his previous AHL single-season best of 26, achieved in the 2021-22 season.

In addition to his AHL success, Jones brings valuable NHL experience to Utah. He spent parts of five seasons with the New York Rangers, where he played in 115 games, scoring four goals and adding 24 assists. In the 2024-25 season, he reached a career-high 46 NHL games and finished seventh among Rangers defensemen in scoring with 11 points.

Before turning pro, Jones established a strong track record at both the collegiate and international levels. He played a pivotal role in helping the University of Massachusetts secure its first national championship in 2020-21, earning Second Team All-American honors and recognition on the Hockey East and NCAA All-Tournament Teams. Additionally, he was named USHL Rookie of the Year in 2018-19 after leading all league defensemen with 45 assists.

For the Mammoth, signing Jones represents a low-risk opportunity to acquire a skilled puck-moving defenseman who has proven his ability to excel at the AHL level. The next challenge for Jones will be to translate that success into a permanent role in the NHL, a pursuit he has been chasing since being selected 68th overall by the Rangers in 2019.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.