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Princeton University Athletics
Photo by: Shelley M. Szwast
Connor Jones Departs Princeton To Take Head Coaching Role With Tahoe Knight Monsters In The ECHL
July 30, 2026 | Men's Ice Hockey
After two seasons on staff with the Princeton men's ice hockey team, Connor Jones has taken a new role as head coach of the Tahoe Knight Monsters in the ECHL. a search for his replacement will begin immediately.
Jones joined the Tigers in advance of the 2024-25 season and helped Princeton improve its win total from the previous season in both years. After joining the coaching staff alongside head coach Ben Syer in 2024-25, Jones helped Princeton improve from 10 wins in 2023-24 to 18 wins this past season en route to a trip to the ECAC Championship Game in Lake Placid.
"I am tremendously proud for Connor to take this next step in his coaching career," said head coach Ben Syer. "To take on a head coaching role in professional hockey is a rare opportunity and one Connor has earned via his dedicated work on behalf of his players at every step. We are going to miss Connor, Stephanie and their family at Baker Rink but are thrilled for them and can't wait to cheer them on."
Jones will be joining a Knight Monsters team that is affiliated with the Vegas Golden Knights, an organization Jones is familiar with from his time as a college scout from 2022-24.
"I want to thank David Hodges, Tim Tebow, and the Tahoe Knight Monsters organization for believing in me and trusting me with this opportunity," Jones said. "I'm incredibly grateful for the confidence they've shown in me, and I don't take that responsibility lightly. From everything I've seen and everyone I've spoken with, it's clear this organization has built something special in a short amount of time. Coach Loh and his staff deserve a lot of credit for establishing a strong foundation, and I'm excited for the opportunity to build on what they've started. My family and I are excited to get to Tahoe and become part of the community. Our team is going to work hard every day, compete the right way, and represent this organization with excellence both on and off the ice. With the opportunity to develop players within the Golden Knights system, our group will have a clear purpose every time we step on the ice. I can't wait to get to Tahoe, meet our fans, and get to work."
During his playing days, Jones competed in 153 NCAA games with Quinnipiac University, where he served as an alternate captain in his final two seasons. In his professional career, he skated in 290 American Hockey League games with the Oklahoma City Barons and Bridgeport Sound Tigers, 79 ECHL games for the Bakersfield Condors and Fort Wayne Komets, and four National Hockey League games with the New York Islanders during the 2016-17 campaign.Â
Jones joined the Tigers in advance of the 2024-25 season and helped Princeton improve its win total from the previous season in both years. After joining the coaching staff alongside head coach Ben Syer in 2024-25, Jones helped Princeton improve from 10 wins in 2023-24 to 18 wins this past season en route to a trip to the ECAC Championship Game in Lake Placid.
"I am tremendously proud for Connor to take this next step in his coaching career," said head coach Ben Syer. "To take on a head coaching role in professional hockey is a rare opportunity and one Connor has earned via his dedicated work on behalf of his players at every step. We are going to miss Connor, Stephanie and their family at Baker Rink but are thrilled for them and can't wait to cheer them on."
Jones will be joining a Knight Monsters team that is affiliated with the Vegas Golden Knights, an organization Jones is familiar with from his time as a college scout from 2022-24.
"I want to thank David Hodges, Tim Tebow, and the Tahoe Knight Monsters organization for believing in me and trusting me with this opportunity," Jones said. "I'm incredibly grateful for the confidence they've shown in me, and I don't take that responsibility lightly. From everything I've seen and everyone I've spoken with, it's clear this organization has built something special in a short amount of time. Coach Loh and his staff deserve a lot of credit for establishing a strong foundation, and I'm excited for the opportunity to build on what they've started. My family and I are excited to get to Tahoe and become part of the community. Our team is going to work hard every day, compete the right way, and represent this organization with excellence both on and off the ice. With the opportunity to develop players within the Golden Knights system, our group will have a clear purpose every time we step on the ice. I can't wait to get to Tahoe, meet our fans, and get to work."
During his playing days, Jones competed in 153 NCAA games with Quinnipiac University, where he served as an alternate captain in his final two seasons. In his professional career, he skated in 290 American Hockey League games with the Oklahoma City Barons and Bridgeport Sound Tigers, 79 ECHL games for the Bakersfield Condors and Fort Wayne Komets, and four National Hockey League games with the New York Islanders during the 2016-17 campaign.Â
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