If you were to take a stroll down the frigid streets of Edmonton, Alberta, you wouldn't have to look far to spot flashes of blue and orange. Those colours signify the city's deep love for the Edmonton Oilers.
Growing up in Alberta’s capital, Minnesota Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon was an Oilers fan and a season ticket holder. Spurgeon spent his formative years playing locally. Throughout his AAA days, he suited up for the city’s KC Squires, playing alongside former Wild player Tyler Ennis.
Unlike many of his junior hockey counterparts, experts didn’t see Spurgeon as a blue-chip prospect. Instead, they saw him as an undersized blueliner. During the 2004 WHL bantam draft, Spurgeon would have to wait until the 10th round to hear his name called when the Spokane Chiefs selected him 188th overall.
Regardless of his draft position, Spurgeon’s impact in Spokane was undeniable to those around him. That includes former Spokane Chiefs GM Tim Speltz, who picked him back in 2004.
“Jared Spurgeon is the smartest hockey player who played for the Chiefs during my 26-year tenure with the team,” said Speltz, who is now the Henderson Silver Knights’ GM in the AHL. “His instincts and hockey sense are just special.”
“The winning record the team had during Spurg’s 5 seasons is the best in the Chiefs' history, and Jared was a huge part of that. He always led by example on and off the ice; he made his teammates better.”
Spurgeon made a name for himself after 5 seasons in the WHL, where he recorded 40-plus points in three consecutive seasons with Spokane. He was also part of the team’s leadership group for much of his junior career, helping the Chiefs become a perennial playoff team.
Spurgeon’s most impressive feat took place during the 2007-08 season when he and the Chiefs took home the Ed Chynoweth trophy as WHL champions and also claimed the Memorial Cup, their second in franchise history.
His rise to the pinnacle of junior hockey didn't come as a surprise to those around him.
As part of Spokane's defensive core, Brett Bartman was Spurgeon’s teammate during their Memorial Cup run and spoke highly of his play and leadership.
“Spurg was the best teammate, easy-going, a blast to be around off the ice, but so focused and determined on the ice,” he said. “He led by example every day and treated everyone around him with the utmost respect.
“His hockey IQ was off the charts. He always made the simple, smart play and never put himself in bad spots.”
Despite leading his team to two championships, Spurgeon wasn't a sure-fire NHL draft pick. He wasn't even the first Spokane Chiefs player selected in the 2008 NHL draft. Mitch Wahl and Dustin Tokarski went ahead of him. After being passed over 155 times, the New York Islanders finally called his name in the sixth round.
The Islanders drafted but didn’t sign Spurgeon. Therefore, he had to bank on a training camp invite from the Minnesota Wild as his chance to make the biggest hockey stage.
To kick off the 2010-11 season, Spurgeon joined the Wild’s AHL affiliate, Houston Aeros, fresh out of training camp, playing in 23 games. Not long after, the Wild called him up, and he played in 53 games during his rookie season. His first year ended with a trip back to the minors to compete in the Calder Cup playoffs.
That would be the final time that the 5'9" defender would lace up his skates in the AHL. Since then, Spurgeon has played in 15 consecutive seasons with the Wild, the longest streak by any active member of their team. Aside from a lengthy career, Spurgeon has made the most of his time in forest green, receiving the captain's patch during the 2020-21 season.
Spurgeon’s resume says it all. He’s a captain, a member of the 1000 games played club, and a representative for Team Canada at the World Championships. The only thing that is missing from his mantle is a Stanley Cup, which the Wild haven’t won since entering the league in 2000.
Winning a championship in a league where 31 teams finish their season short of a Stanley Cup creates a daunting task for Spurgeon. Still, Jared Spurgeon has been beating the odds his entire career.
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