By Joshua Boyd / USPHLPremier.com
The USPHL and the Idaho Falls Spud Kings (currently of the National Collegiate Development Conference) congratulate former Spud Kings forward Landon Wright for recently making his NCAA Division I commitment to the University of Maine, which competes in the Hockey East. His commitment marks the first for a current or former Spud King to commit at the Division I level.
“I like the way that they run their program,” said Wright, of the Maine Black Bears. “They’ve produced many players who have moved on to professional hockey including 57 who have played in the National Hockey League. They know how to develop players as well as prepare them for life. I feel that my speed and playmaking were the main skill sets that jumped out [to the coaches], as well as my hockey IQ and ability to find open ice and other players on my team.”
Wright, who scored 24 points in 30 games with the Spud Kings last season, their final in the USPHL Premier, looks back fondly on his time in Idaho Falls.
“My time with the Idaho Falls Spud Kings was incredible,” added Wright. “From the first day, I got there I could tell it was an incredible organization with a great group of players and staff there. Playing with the Spud Kings brought maturity to my game, learning from Coach [Marty] Quarters and the entire Spud Kings staff, I was able to pick up a lot of different things that have helped me become the player and person I am today.”
“Landon joined the Spud Kings as an underage player last November and was a big part helping us develop our culture and turn our season around,” said Head Coach Marty Quarters. “Landon is a rink rat and takes his on-ice training very seriously. Add that to his high hockey IQ, shot, and passion for the game and he has earned this opportunity to play D-1. The Spud Kings are excited for Landon and proud of the hard work he put into achieving his goal of playing NCAA Division 1 hockey!”
The USPHL and the NCDC join the Idaho Falls Spud Kings in wishing Landon Wright the best of luck in his NCAA college hockey future with the University of Maine.
