Jared Spurgeon

Defenceman and captain for the Minnesota Wild, known for his on-ice vision and competitive play despite his stature.

Jared Spurgeon (born November 29, 1989) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a defenceman and captain for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL). Spurgeon was selected 156th overall by the New York Islanders in the 2008 NHL entry draft but joined the Wild after going unsigned by the Islanders.

Quick Facts

Born: 29 November 1989
Birthplace: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Position: Defence
Shoots: Right
League: NHL
Team: Minnesota Wild
Former teams: SCL Tigers
Draft: 156th overall

Lore & Background

Spurgeon was born on November 29, 1989, in Edmonton, Alberta to Barry and Debbie Spurgeon. He grew up alongside his older brother Tyler and older sister Breanne. Growing up, Spurgeon was a fan of the Edmonton Oilers, specifically Doug Weight. He played minor hockey alongside Tyler Ennis, and their fathers served as coaches. Originally a forward, Spurgeon was changed to defence at age 13. He played three seasons of major junior hockey with the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL, winning a WHL Championship and the 2008 CHL Memorial Cup. Following the 2009–10 WHL season, Spurgeon joined the Minnesota Wild's AHL affiliate, the Houston Aeros. He impressed the coaching staff through his first 23 games and earned his first NHL recall the day before his 21st birthday. Spurgeon made his NHL debut the following day and remained with the Wild for the remainder of the season.

Reader's Guide

Spurgeon made his NHL debut on November 29, 2010, his 21st birthday, in a 3–0 shutout loss to the Calgary Flames, wearing number 46 and playing 14:42 minutes with one shot on goal. He recorded his first NHL point (an assist) on January 25, 2011, against the Chicago Blackhawks, and his first NHL goal on February 22, 2011, against Nikolai Khabibulin of the Edmonton Oilers. He finished the season with eight assists and was one of only three defencemen in NHL history with only one penalty in at least 50 games.