Idaho Falls Spud Kings Join NAHL, Form New Mountain Division
The Idaho Falls Spud Kings, together with four other former NCDC clubs, have officially accepted invitations to compete in the North American Hockey League, a tier‑2 circuit that promises a higher level of play and greater exposure for its members.
The move to the NAHL is expected to sharpen recruiting pipelines, as the league draws increased attention from professional scouts and elite amateur prospects, giving players a clearer pathway to higher tiers of competition.
For defenseman and team captain DJ MacLeish, the transition represented a pivotal decision; after weighing a potential exit, he now finds himself part of a fresh competitive landscape that could reshape his development trajectory.
Charlie Durkin, who earned the 2024‑25 NCDC Mountain Division MVP honors, previously tested the NAHL arena last season, bringing a proven scoring touch that could bolster the new division’s offensive depth.
The realignment will see the Spud Kings and their counterparts organized into a dedicated NAHL Mountain Division beginning this fall, a structure that promises regional rivalries and intensified contests across the western United States.
USA Hockey, the sport’s national governing body, has endorsed the transition, underscoring its commitment to fostering growth and opportunity within the junior hockey ecosystem.