Prince George BC – There has been a plethora of notable Spruce Kings Alumni throughout the 2010’s decade. The organization has decided to make an All-Decade Team which will begin tomorrow when the goaltenders are announced, and an honourable mention decade team, to honour more of the great players that played throughout this decade.
KIRK THOMPSON (Goaltender 2010-2013)
Kirk Thompson was no short of terrific during his three seasons as a Spruce King. The Surrey, BC product suited up in 122 games with the Spruce Kings, and posted a .905 save percentage in those years, including 46 victories. Once his career as a Spruce King ended, Thompson spent three seasons at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and appeared in 42 games at the NCAA Division 1 level.
TREVOR ESAU (Defenceman 2010-2013)
Trevor Esau was the epitome of shutdown on the back end. The former captain played in 159 games in the BCHL all with the Spruce Kings and collected 42 points in those contests.
SKYLAR PACHECO (Defenceman 2011-2014)
A long time Spruce King and BCHL’er was a crucial part to the Spruce Kings defensive core from 2011-2014. Pacheco, from Kitimat, suited up in 164 games in Spruce Kings colours, and 220 total in the BCHL. Pacheco amassed 11 goals and 70 helpers during his time as a Spruce King. After his BCHL career ended, Pacheco played five seasons at Brock University in USport and is now playing overseas in France for Amiens of the Ligue Magnus.
MATT STIEF (Defenceman 2014-2016)
The Boca Raton, FL product played two seasons in the BC Northern Capital and served as an alternate captain in his final season. Stief played 109 games with the Spruce Kings and posted eight goals and 68 assists in those games. Once his junior career ended, Stief spent four seasons at Canisius College and was named to the AHA third all conference team in 2019-2020. Stief is now currently a member of the Idaho Steelheads of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) and has recorded 18 assists in 51 games.
ADAM BURNETT (Defenceman 2015-2017)
A two-year Spruce King who logged some massive minutes for the team. Burnett, from Hamilton, ON appeared in 115 games for the Spruce Kings in two seasons and finished with 39 points and 148 penalty minutes during his tenure. Once his time in Prince George ended, Burnett spent two seasons at the University Of Windsor in the USport league.
NICK BOCHEN (Defencemen 2018-2020)
One of the slickest and slippery skating defencemen in Spruce Kings history. Bochen, from North Vancouver was a massive part to the Spruce Kings championship season. Bochen finished the 18-19 season with 38 points in 57 games, and then added six points in 17 BCHL playoff games, helping his group to a Fred Page Cup and Doyle Cup championship. Throughout his Spruce King career, Bochen played 106 games, 45 playoff games, and finished with 20 goals and 79 points in total. Bochen is now currently playing NCAA Division 1 Hockey at Quinnipiac University and is in his second season.
JAKE LEBRUN (Forward 2012-2016)
Jake Lebrun was a very familiar name to Spruce Kings fans. The former captain, and Prince George product was a part of four seasons with the team and suited up in 161 games. Lebrun scored 50 times with the Spruce Kings and recorded 52 assists during his tenure as a Spruce King. In his final year of junior hockey, Lebrun was traded to the West Kelowna Warriors, and was a member of the BCHL Champion, Western Canada Cup Champion, and RBC Champion Warriors in 2016.
BRAIDEN EPP (Forward 2013-2017)
Braiden Epp was a massive contributor to the Spruce Kings offense during his time in Prince George. Epp was a part of four seasons with the team, while recording 41 goals and 32 assists in 166 games played (11th all time). Epp also suited up in 19 playoff games with the Spruce Kings and scored five goals in those contests. Epp is now currently a referee in the BCHL.
JEREMIAH LUEDTKE (Forward 2012-2015)
One of the most skilled, and high octane forwards the Spruce Kings had through the 2010’s decade was Jeremiah Luedtke. The Seattle, WA product was no short of incredible during his three seasons as a Spruce King. Luedtke played 164 games for the Spruce Kings and scored 41 goals, along with 103 assists which is the sixth most in franchise history. Luedtke was incredible in the post-season as a Spruce King, playing in 21 games and collecting four goals and 16 assists. Luedtke spent his college career at the University of Alaska-Anchorage, playing four seasons, scoring 15 times, and added 26 assists in 114 games at the NCAA Division 1 level. Luedtke is now currently playing in Europe with Cholet in the France2 league, and is currently serving as an alternate captain
JUSTIN RAI (Forward 2012-2015)
Another massive part to the Spruce Kings offence was Justin Rai. Rai, from Surrey BC, spent three seasons with the Spruce Kings, and had 102 points in 116 games, which included 47 goals and 55 assists. Rai also appeared in 6 playoff games for Prince George, and had seven points in those contests. Rai spent one year at the University of Maine once his junior career came to a close.
JAROD HOVDE (Forward 2015-2018)
Jarod Hovde’s name is in the Spruce Kings record book, sitting ninth all time in games played in franchise history. Hovde, from Camrose AB, played 168 games with the Spruce Kings, and was also a part of the memorable team in 2017-18 that was three wins short of a Fred Page Cup. In the 168 games Hovde played with the Spruce Kings, he recorded 89 points, and in 30 playoff games, he posted 10 points, which included two goals and eight assists. Hovde now is a part of the ACAC league at the University of Alberta Augustana.
CHONG MIN LEE (Forward 2017-2020)
A skilled forward, who scored one of the biggest goals in team history. Chong Min Lee spent three seasons with the Spruce Kings and was a crucial member to the championship season in 2018-19. Lee played in 29 playoff games that season, and scored six goals, and added 19 assists. One of those six goals Lee scored, proved to be the series winning goal in Game 6 of the Doyle Cup, to help propel the Spruce Kings to their first Doyle Cup championship in franchise history. Lee is now playing pro in Sweden with Tranås AIF in the HockeyEttan league. He sits with nine points in 13 games.
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The Spruce Kings 2010’s All Decade Team will begin to be announced tomorrow, with a video tribute to the goalies, Wednesday will be the defenceman, and Thursday, the team will be rounded out with the forwards.
The Spruce Kings are celebrating Fan Appreciation Month, beginning this Friday night when they take on the Vernon Vipers for 2010’s night (GET YOUR TICKETS HERE), followed by an Alumni meet & greet at the Prince George Golf and Curling Club on Saturday afternoon.