**Defenseman**

*Notes accurate as of Sept. 1, 2025*

**Pronunciation:** JOHNZ, ZAK

**Contract Status:** Signed through 2025-26 ($900,000 AAV)

**CAREER TRANSACTIONS:** Signed by Buffalo on July 2, 2025; Selected by the New York Rangers in the third round (68th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft.

**CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:**

* Made his AHL debut with the Hartford Wolf Pack on Oct. 15, 2021 vs. Bridgeport. * Led all Hartford (AHL) defensemen in goals (9), assists (26) and points (35) in 2021-22. * Appeared in nine games with Hartford in the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs and recorded six points (2+4), the most among all Wolf Pack defensemen. * Made his NHL debut on April 22, 2021 vs. Philadelphia and became the sixth player born in Virginia to play in an NHL game in league history (Chris Bala, Scott Darling, Scott Lachance, James Walsh, Eric Weinrich). * Notched his first NHL point, an assist, on April 25, 2021 vs. Buffalo. * Recorded his first NHL goal on Oct. 29, 2022 at Dallas. * Registered a career-best three-game point streak from Nov. 3 to 9, 2024 (0+3). * Appeared in the 100th game of his NHL career on March 3, 2025 vs. NY Islanders. * Ranked third among all Rangers defensemen in takeaways per 60 (1.20) in 2024-25 (min. five games played) and trailed only Adam Fox (1.39) and K’Andre Miller (1.73) in that category. * Ranked second among all Rangers defensemen in power-play time on ice per game played (1:29) in 2024-25.

**AMATEUR HIGHLIGHTS:**

* Recorded 52 points (7+45) in 56 games with Tri-City in 2018-19, tying for second among all USHL defensemen in points. * Earned USHL Rookie of the Year honors, was named to the USHL All-Rookie Team and Second All-Star Team and led all defensemen in assists (45). Added five assists in six playoff games. * Won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2019 World Junior A Challenge. * Tallied 23 points (3+20) in 32 games as a freshman at UMass in 2019-20, ranking third among NCAA rookie defensemen in scoring, and was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team. * Posted 24 points (9+15) in 29 games at UMass in 2020-21, finishing second among NCAA defensemen in goals and helping lead the program to its first NCAA national championship.

**INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS:**

* Represented Team USA at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship, recording 2 points (1+1) in 5 games. * Skated in 10 games with Team USA at the 2021 IIHF World Championship, notching 3 assists en route to a bronze medal.

**NHL FIRSTS**

**Game:** 4/22/21 vs PHI

**Goal:** 10/29/22 at DAL

**Assist:** 4/25/21 vs BUF

**AWARDS & HONORS**

**Professional**

N/A

**International**

2021 IIHF World Championship Bronze Medal

**Amateur**

2018–19 USHL All-Rookie Team

2018–19 USHL Rookie of the Year

2018–19 USHL Second All-Star Team

2019–20 Hockey East All-Rookie Team

2020–21 NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team

2021 NCAA Champion

2020–21 NCAA (East) Second All-American Team

2020–21 Hockey East All-Tournament Team

2020–21 Hockey East Champion

2020–21 Hockey East Second All-Star Team

2020–21 USCHO First Team