Massachusetts native Zack Jones grew up playing his youth hockey playing for the Boston Jr. Bandits. After spending a few seasons with the 16U team, he speared in 10 games for the NCDC team this season. Jones recently committed to New Hampshire, where the ’01 will matriculate in 2020.
Neutral Zone caught up with Jones and talked about his experience with the Boston Jr. Bandits, how he chose UNH and more.
Neutral Zone: How and when did you start playing hockey?
Zack Jones: I was actually about three and my dad built a rink in our driveway.
NZ: What’s your earliest memory from playing hockey?
ZJ: On that same driveway rink. Me and my brother would be out there any chance we had.
NZ: What was your youth hockey experience like?
ZJ: It was great. I spent my entire youth hockey playing for the Boston Bandits. We had a good team and played some of the best teams in the country. The best memory was our team qualifying for the Quebec Pee-Wee tournament.
NZ: How did you join the Boston Jr. Bandits and how has playing there helped your development?
ZJ: I started playing with the Bandits my first year of organized hockey. My brother played for the Bandits and my dad coached. My time with the Bandits has really helped me become the player I am now.
NZ: Take us through the NCAA recruitment process. What other schools were you talking to and where did you visit?
ZJ: I had not contacted any schools and decided that I was only going to wait for a school that had interest in me going on a visit. Coach [Glenn] Stewart and Coach [Mike] Souza from UNH were very good with me. They watched me a bunch of times, had me up for a visit and then made an offer to me. I feel like it went the way it is supposed to work and they were very professional with me.
NZ: What made you decide to commit to UNH? What went into that decision for you and your family to know it was the right place?
ZJ: The coaching staff was a major reason. Not only are they recruiting the right way, but you can really tell they take pride in the program and want it to succeed. I know academically it is a good school and everyone loves it there, but honestly I want to play hockey in a great atmosphere, in a great facility and have good coaching. With the style they play, the large ice surface and playing in one of the best leagues in the country, UNH is a great fit for me.
NZ: What’s the best piece of advice anyone’s given you in hockey?
ZJ: My dad has always told me to respect the game and give all you can give every day. It is important to have fun, but if you are going to play you need to be a good teammate, work hard and try to improve every day.
NZ: What are your best on-ice skills?
ZJ: I feel I have good hands, hockey sense and skating. I can create offense and play with a lot of energy.
NZ: What aspect of your game are you working on improving the most?
ZJ: I want to get stronger and quicker. I have good speed, but it could be better and my feet can get quicker. I also want to continue to work on all three zones and being a complete player.
NZ: Is there a professional player you model your game after?
Kyle Turris.
NZ: Who’s been the biggest influence in your hockey career?
ZJ: My father and my brother Cooper, who plays for the Halifax Mooseheads.
NZ: What’s the toughest challenge you’ve faced in hockey?
ZJ: Maybe my size, but I have been growing and I am in the gym all the time.
Photo Credit: Hickling Images