Last Updated on November 11, 2026 by Bernald Sanders
Zac Jones is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who plays in the Utah Mammoth organization of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on October 18, 2000, in Glen Allen, Virginia, he grew up in the Richmond area and became one of the few Virginia-born players to reach the NHL.
Zac Jones’s parents are Robert “Rob” Jones and Kara Jones, and he has two siblings named Kindred and Joshua Jones. His father previously worked in professional hockey and helped build a small ice rink where Zac developed his skills during childhood. Although his immediate family is publicly documented, Jones has kept his romantic relationships private, and there is no verified public information confirming that he has a wife or children.
Zac Jones’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
Zac Jones has not publicly confirmed the identity of a current girlfriend or romantic partner through reliable sports publications.
Despite playing professional hockey for several seasons, the American defenseman has maintained considerable privacy regarding his dating life.
His interviews with NHL.com, The Hockey News, and other established hockey publications have primarily focused on his professional career, childhood experiences, and family support.
A biographical article published in April 2025 by Interesting Football also reported that details about his romantic relationship status were unavailable.
No reliable public announcement has established that Jones is currently dating a particular person.
Consequently, his relationship status remains unconfirmed. It would be inaccurate to describe him as single or identify someone as his girlfriend without reliable evidence.
Is Zac Jones Married?
There is no publicly verified confirmation that Zac Jones is married.
Official player biographies from the NHL Players’ Association, University of Massachusetts, and Utah Mammoth do not identify a wife or provide details about an engagement or wedding.
Jones has generally chosen to keep his personal relationships separate from his professional hockey career.
Therefore, his marital status cannot be established definitively through the available reliable public sources.
Does Zac Jones Have Children?
There is no publicly verified information indicating that Zac Jones has children.
The Utah Mammoth defenseman has not made a widely documented announcement about becoming a father, and established sports biographies do not identify any sons or daughters.
Although he has discussed the importance of his parents and childhood family experiences, he has not publicly confirmed having children of his own.
Zac Jones’s Parents
Zac Jones was born to Robert Jones and Kara Jones, who raised him in Glen Allen, Virginia, near Richmond.
Their identities are confirmed in his official University of Massachusetts Athletics biography for the 2020–21 hockey season.
Both parents supported his sporting ambitions and encouraged him to pursue opportunities that would help him reach professional hockey.
Zac Jones’s Father: Robert “Rob” Jones
Robert Jones, commonly known as Rob Jones, is Zac Jones’s father and one of the most influential people in his hockey career.
Rob has a professional background in hockey, having worked as an athletic trainer and equipment manager for professional teams.
He previously worked for the Richmond Renegades, a minor league hockey organization that competed in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL).
According to an August 2019 article published by the New York Rangers, Rob moved to Glen Allen, Virginia, in 1992 while working for the Renegades.
His involvement with professional hockey helped introduce Zac to the sport at an early age.
Rob had also played hockey as a goaltender during his high school years.
Unlike many young players who grow up in traditional hockey markets, Zac developed his skills in Virginia, where competitive ice hockey opportunities were relatively limited.
Recognizing the challenge, Rob and several other fathers decided to create a small indoor hockey rink for their children.
How Rob Jones Built a Hockey Rink for Zac
One of the most memorable stories about Zac Jones’s childhood involves a miniature ice rink built by his father and other local parents.
According to an October 2020 interview published by Forever Blueshirts, Rob joined eight other fathers to construct a half-sized indoor rink.
The facility allowed their children to practice skating, puck handling, and other hockey skills without constantly traveling to distant arenas.
The parents maintained the rink for several years before financial difficulties forced them to close it.
Although the facility eventually disappeared, Zac described it as an essential part of his development.
He explained that he and his friends regularly visited the rink after school, spending hours improving their abilities.
The experience helped Zac develop the skating confidence, puck control, and offensive instincts that later became important elements of his playing style.
Rob’s involvement demonstrated his determination to provide opportunities for his son despite living outside a traditional hockey market.
Rob Jones’s Support During Zac’s NHL Journey
Rob Jones continued supporting Zac as he progressed through youth hockey, junior competition, college, and the NHL.
In June 2019, he traveled with his family to Vancouver, British Columbia, for the NHL Entry Draft.
The New York Rangers selected Zac in the third round, 68th overall.
During a 2021 interview with CBS 6 News in Richmond, Rob recalled the excitement of hearing his son’s name announced.
Although he had hoped Zac would be selected, the moment remained an emotional experience for the family.
Rob also emphasized the importance of remaining humble and continuing to work hard after reaching the NHL.
In July 2025, he discussed his son’s decision to leave the Rangers organization and sign with the Buffalo Sabres.
Speaking to The Richmonder, Rob explained that Zac wanted an opportunity to establish himself as a regular NHL defenseman.
Their close relationship reflects how Rob’s professional hockey experience helped guide his son throughout his development.
Zac Jones’s Mother: Kara Jones
Kara Jones is Zac Jones’s mother.
She is identified alongside her husband Robert in Zac’s official University of Massachusetts hockey biography.
Kara helped raise Zac and his two siblings in the Richmond area of Virginia.
Although her occupation and educational background are not widely documented, her involvement in supporting Zac’s athletic ambitions has been acknowledged in interviews.
During a 2021 interview with CBS 6 News, Zac explained that his parents encouraged him to think realistically about his future while continuing to support his goal of becoming a professional hockey player.
They advised him to maintain alternative career possibilities in case his athletic ambitions did not work out.
Nevertheless, Jones remained determined to pursue hockey.
Kara was also among the family members who attended the 2019 NHL Draft in Vancouver.
The occasion marked an important family milestone after years of supporting Zac through competitive youth hockey and boarding school.
Further details about Kara’s professional background and personal activities remain private.
Zac Jones’s Siblings
Zac Jones has two publicly documented siblings: Kindred Jones and Joshua Jones.
Both names are confirmed in the University of Massachusetts Athletics player biography.
However, relatively little information about their personal lives has been published through established sports reporting.
Kindred Jones – Zac Jones’s Sibling
Kindred Jones is one of Zac Jones’s two siblings.
Kindred is identified in official University of Massachusetts hockey records alongside Joshua Jones.
Unlike Zac, whose professional career has attracted media attention, Kindred maintains a private public profile.
Reliable sources do not provide extensive information about Kindred’s age, occupation, education, or involvement in competitive sports.
Further details about Kindred’s personal life have not been independently established.
Joshua Jones – Zac Jones’s Sibling
Joshua Jones is Zac Jones’s other publicly documented sibling.
His name appears in Zac’s official UMass biography, confirming their family relationship.
Although Zac’s hockey achievements are well documented, Joshua’s personal and professional activities have not received similar public coverage.
No reliable information has been established regarding his age, career, education, or whether he participated in competitive hockey.
His relationship with Zac is confirmed, but additional biographical details remain private.
Zac Jones’s Childhood and Family Background
Zac Jones grew up in Glen Allen, Virginia, a community near Richmond.
Although Virginia does not have the same hockey traditions as states such as Minnesota, Massachusetts, and Michigan, his family’s connection to professional hockey helped create opportunities for him.
His father had experience working with the Richmond Renegades, and the homemade rink provided additional opportunities to practice.
Jones developed his skills through local youth hockey programs, including the Richmond Generals.
He frequently competed against players who were physically larger than him.
In an August 2019 interview with the New York Rangers, Zac explained that his relatively small size forced him to become more aware of his surroundings on the ice.
He learned to anticipate opponents’ movements, avoid dangerous hits, and make quick decisions with the puck.
These abilities later became important strengths in his development as an offensive defenseman.
How Zac Jones’s Parents Supported His Hockey Career
Zac Jones’s parents recognized that pursuing elite hockey opportunities would eventually require him to leave Virginia.
At approximately 14 years old, he moved to Connecticut to attend South Kent School, a boarding school with an established hockey program.
Leaving home presented significant challenges, but Zac understood that the opportunity could help him compete against stronger opponents.
During his time at South Kent, he played alongside several future professional hockey players, including Joel Farabee and Shane Pinto.
His performances attracted attention from junior hockey organizations.
Jones subsequently joined the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League (USHL) for the 2018–19 season.
He recorded seven goals and 45 assists for 52 points in 56 regular-season games.
His 45 assists led all USHL defensemen, and he received the league’s Rookie of the Year award.
These achievements helped establish him as a promising NHL prospect.
His parents continued supporting his progress despite the distance between Virginia, Connecticut, and Nebraska.
Zac Jones’s Family at the 2019 NHL Draft
The 2019 NHL Entry Draft represented an important milestone for Zac Jones and his family.
Jones initially considered not traveling to Vancouver because he was uncertain whether he would be selected.
However, after discussing the opportunity with people close to him, he decided to attend.
His parents accompanied him to the event, along with his hockey advisor and former high school coach.
On June 22, 2019, the New York Rangers selected him with the 68th overall pick.
In an October 2020 interview with Forever Blueshirts, Jones described the excitement of experiencing the draft with his family.
He admitted that he had not expected the Rangers to select him because he had spoken with the organization only briefly before the event.
The selection became a defining moment in his career and reflected the sacrifices made by his family during his childhood.
Zac Jones’s College Hockey Career and Family Support
After being drafted by the Rangers, Zac Jones enrolled at the University of Massachusetts.
He joined the Minutemen for the 2019–20 NCAA hockey season.
During his freshman year, he recorded three goals and 20 assists for 23 points in 32 games.
His performances earned him Hockey East All-Rookie Team recognition.
Jones continued improving during the 2020–21 season, recording nine goals and 15 assists for 24 points in 29 games.
He helped Massachusetts win its first NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey national championship in April 2021.
Jones also received Second Team All-American honors and was selected to the NCAA All-Tournament Team.
In interviews about his collegiate career, he acknowledged that his parents had supported his decision to attend UMass.
The family viewed the university as an excellent opportunity for him to develop both academically and athletically.
Zac Jones’s NHL Career and Move to Utah
Following the 2021 NCAA championship, Zac Jones signed his first NHL contract with the New York Rangers.
He made his NHL debut on April 22, 2021, against the Philadelphia Flyers.
The appearance was particularly meaningful because Jones had grown up in a region where producing NHL players was uncommon.
He spent parts of five seasons with the Rangers while also competing for the Hartford Wolf Pack in the American Hockey League.
In July 2025, Jones signed a contract with the Buffalo Sabres organization.
He spent the 2025–26 season with the Rochester Americans, recording ten goals and 52 assists for 62 points in 60 games.
His outstanding performances earned him selection to the AHL First All-Star Team.
On July 1, 2026, the Utah Mammoth announced that Jones had signed a two-year, two-way contract carrying an average annual NHL value of $875,000.
He began the 2026–27 season with the Tucson Roadrunners, Utah’s AHL affiliate.
On November 9, 2026, the Mammoth recalled Jones from Tucson after he recorded three goals and eight assists for 11 points in 13 games.
The move provided another opportunity for Jones to compete at the NHL level.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zac Jones’s Family
Who is Zac Jones’s girlfriend?
Zac Jones has not publicly confirmed the identity of a girlfriend through reliable sources. His current relationship status remains private.
Is Zac Jones married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Zac Jones is married or has a wife.
Does Zac Jones have children?
No children have been publicly confirmed for Zac Jones.
Who are Zac Jones’s parents?
His parents are Robert “Rob” Jones and Kara Jones, according to his official University of Massachusetts Athletics biography.
Who is Zac Jones’s father?
His father is Rob Jones, a former professional hockey athletic trainer and equipment manager who worked with the Richmond Renegades.
Who is Zac Jones’s mother?
His mother is Kara Jones, who raised Zac and his two siblings in the Richmond area of Virginia.
How many siblings does Zac Jones have?
Zac Jones has two publicly documented siblings, Kindred Jones and Joshua Jones.
Who is Kindred Jones?
Kindred Jones is one of Zac Jones’s siblings. The relationship is confirmed in his official UMass hockey biography, although further personal details remain private.
Who is Joshua Jones?
Joshua Jones is Zac Jones’s other publicly documented sibling. Limited reliable information is available about his personal and professional activities.
Did Zac Jones’s father play hockey?
Yes. Rob Jones played hockey as a high school goaltender and later worked professionally as an athletic trainer and equipment manager.
Did Zac Jones’s father build a hockey rink?
Yes. Rob Jones and eight other local fathers helped build a small indoor hockey rink in Virginia, allowing their children to practice regularly.
Where is Zac Jones’s family from?
Zac Jones grew up in Glen Allen, Virginia, near Richmond. His father previously worked for the Richmond Renegades hockey organization.
Did Zac Jones’s parents attend the NHL Draft?
Yes. His parents traveled to Vancouver in June 2019, where they watched the New York Rangers select him with the 68th overall pick.
Living and breathing ice hockey, Bernald Sanders delivers comprehensive coverage of the NHL season from puck drop to the Stanley Cup Finals. He specializes in tactical breakdowns, trade analysis, power-play strategies, and tracking rising draft prospects. Bernald turns fast-paced on-ice action into clear, sharp insights for hockey fans around the globe.
