In the ever-changing game of hockey where defensemen are having a greater role offensively, it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise to see Zac Jones leading the way for the University of Massachusetts offense.
Paired with fellow sophomore Matt Kessel on the Minutemen’s top pairing, Jones continues to take strides toward the NHL, despite lacking size and strength compared to many opposing players in Hockey East.
With two key defensemen, Marc Del Gaizo and Ty Farmer, out of the UMass lineup last weekend, Jones and Kessel logged a ton of minutes against second-ranked Boston College. Jones scored his second goal of the season in Friday’s 4-3 loss against the Eagles.
Jones has added an assist while producing 13 shots on goal, second most on the team. Kessel leads the Minutemen in shots on goal with 17. The duo appear to be comfortable playing together.
“It’s been great. We jell well together. We talk a lot in practice. We’re great friends. That translates over to the ice. I love playing with him. He’s a great defenseman,” said Jones of his chemistry with Kessel.
A big part of contributing offensively is the work done on the man advantage. With Del Gaizo out, both Jones and Kessel have taken on more responsibilities while up a man. UMass already has scored four times on the power play, a quarter of the way to last year’s season total.
“Our power play has been good. It’s a good start for us. We’re getting good chances in the offensive zone. We have to get used to playing with new guys. We just have to keep improving,” Jones commented.”
UMass stands 1-2-1 through four games, but just playing has proved to be worthy of celebration this season. Only three Hockey East teams have hit the ice so far, but UMass is the only team to play more than twice.
“It’s a huge advantage for us to be able to play. It’s great that we finally get to play games after eight months of waiting around,” Jones said.
Jones eyeing NHL future
Jones, hailing from Glen Allen, Va., was picked by the New York Rangers in the third round of the 2019 NHL draft. The selection was coming on the heels of a remarkable rookie season in the USHL in which he scored seven goals and added 50 assists for 57 points in 62 games.
Jones, who played three seasons at South Kent Selects Academy, always has been applauded for his mobility, stick and hockey sense. There’s not much Jones can do about his size, but UMass head coach Greg Carvel is impressed by his young blueliner’s drive to get stronger.
“He really attacked it this summer. If you looked at him from the first day he stepped on campus to today, there’s a big development in his growth physically. He needed that. He’s an undersized defenseman,” said Carvel.
As a freshman last season, Jones scored three goals and 20 assists in 32 games en route to making the Hockey East All-Rookie Team. However, Jones wasn’t happy was his goal total a season ago. Perhaps more importantly, Jones is improving in his own zone to the point where Carvel and the coaching staff can rely on him in key situations.
“He’s already scored two goals. He’s playing well defensively. He’s focused on his defensive game. He plays on our top pairing. He’ll play against top players in our league. A year ago, there was a little anxiousness to put him out against top players. A year later, it’s not a concern at all,” Carvel explained.
When most people think of sound defensive players, big, physical specimens come to mind. Jones offsets his lack of size with footwork, hockey sense and a good stick. His skating comes in with the ability to recover and move toe-to-toe with elite offensive players on other teams. His brain and stick allow him to be in the right position to poke check and take away shooting and passing lanes.
“His skating has gotten better since he got here. He’s so smart that he uses his feet. He has really good hand-eye coordination, which helps a lot. You can get out of trouble when you’ve gotten beat and are in a bad position and can knock a puck out of midair,” said Carvel.
Carvel worked as a scout and assistant coach for the Anaheim Ducks and Ottawa Senators before coming back to the college game where he first worked at his alma mater, St. Lawrence. He knows a thing or two about getting to the next level. He’s seen it first hand in Amherst where he’s guided four marquee players, including Hobey Baker Award winner Cale Makar, to NHL contracts in his first four seasons. Carvel believes Jones is making progress and is on the right track to join the list of UMass alums in the NHL.
“He’s taken a good step. He still has some steps to go to be ready for the next level. He’s developing really well. A big part of that is his attitude. He’ll get to the NHL. I don’t doubt that,” Carvel said.
Especially as an undersized defenseman, the path to the NHL might take a little longer for Jones. According to his coach, he is aware of that and willing to do whatever it takes to eventually get to the top of the pyramid.
“Much like Cale Makar, he understands his process to get there. He’s a really coachable kid. He knows where his weak points are. A lot of kids don’t want to work on their weaknesses. When you get a kid who will do it on their own, that’s so impressive to me,” said Carvel.
When will Carvel know when his young defenseman is ready to leave UMass and take the next step in his journey? It won’t be in the offensive zone, as there’s little doubt as to his prowess with the puck on his stick.
“I’ve told him, ‘You won’t be ready to go to the next level until you can go in the corner with someone bigger than you and find a way to come out with the puck’ ,” explained Carvel.
“He’s too smart and too skilled (not to get to the NHL). He has to continue his physical development. Zac did a great job this summer. When he gets strong enough, he’ll be ready for the next level.”
Kessel making strides as a late bloomer
Jones isn’t the only drafted defenseman in the Minutemen lineup making significant improvement in his game. His defensive partner, Kessel, is coming on strong. Jones is someone who can attest to that.
“I remember playing against him in the USHL. I didn’t really think he was anything special,” said Jones. “He’s a great defenseman. He’s one of the top guys on our team. It was well-deserved for him to be drafted.”
Kessel, a 2000-born righty, was plucked by the St. Louis Blues in the fifth round of the 2020 draft. It was his third year of draft eligibility. Kessel, who stands at 6-foot-3, scored seven goals and four assists as a freshman last season. It was the first time in his career, including Midget and junior hockey, where he’s shown any signs of jumping into the offense.
The Bloomfield Hills, Mich., native played for Little Caesars and Compuware before heading to the USHL. There, he played for Fargo, Chicago and Sioux Falls. The UMass coaching staff saw something in his final year in Sioux Falls, which led the staff to offer a spot on the roster to the former Miami commit.
It’s a decision that has worked out for both sides. Kessel became the third UMass player in as many years to hear his name called at the NHL draft following his freshman season. He joined John Leonard (San Jose Sharks) in 2018 and Filip Lindberg (Minnesota Wild) in 2019.
“I think it can be a recruiting factor. It ties into the coaching staff here and how they develop players. I came here and they gave me a very good opportunity right away. They helped me grow as a player and adjusted as quickly as possible,” said Kessel.
UMass will host the Merrimack Warriors at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday before a road game in North Andover, Mass., against Merrimack on Sunday, also at 4:30 p.m.
