ECHL: Cooper Jones Re-Signs with Utah Grizzlies

The Utah Grizzlies have re-signed 5’8″ defenseman Cooper Jones for the 2025-26 season.

Junior Career

Cooper Jones started his junior career in the QMJHL with the Halifax Mooseheads. In three seasons with the Mooseheads, Jones played in 172 games, registering nine goals and 21 assists for 30 points.

After his time in the QMJHL, Jones spent five games in the USHL with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. He also spent some time with the Boston Junior Bandits in the NCDC. With the Junior Bandits, Jones had four goals and eight assists for 12 points with 38 penalty minutes.

Professional Career

Jones started his professional career in the 2018-19 season and has spent the majority of it in the SPHL and ECHL. In the SPHL, Jones has spent parts of seasons with the Knoxville Ice Bears, Evansville Thunderbolts, Macon Mayhem, and Pensacola Ice Flyers. In 78 SPHL games played through parts of four seasons, Jones has six goals and 25 assists for 31 points.

During his time in the ECHL, Jones has played with the Adirondack Thunder, Jacksonville Icemen, Idaho Steelheads, Trois-Rivières Lions, Rapid City Rush, and Utah Grizzlies. Through parts of five ECHL seasons, Jones has five goals and 13 assists for 18 points.

Jones did not play in the 2020-21 season and spent the 2022-23 season overseas playing in France2 with the Neuilly-sur-Marne. In 26 games, Jones had two goals and 16 assists for 18 points with four penalty minutes. During the 2024-25 season with the Grizzlies, Jones played in 39 games, puting up four goals and eight assists for 12 points

Jones is a great re-signing for the Grizzlies for the 2025-26 season. After starting his career mostly as an SPHL player, he has continued to improve both his offense and defense continuing to help his team. While Jones is not a big player, his presence on the ice is huge and continues to grow as he plays more.