Kings Sign Jared Wright To Two-Year Contract
The Los Angeles Kings have signed 2022 sixth-round draft pick Jared Wright to a two-year, entry-level contract per NHL.com’s Zach Dooley. The deal will begin in the 2025-26 season, while Wright will finish this season on the AHL’s Ontario Reign, per the AHL transaction log. Wright will turn pro after wrapping up his third year at the University of Denver.
Wright was a standout two-way forward over his years with the Pioneers. He filled a quaint role on the National Championship-winning 2023 squad, recording eight goals and 12 points in 34 games of his freshman season. But persisting through a depth role paid off in his sophomore season last year, when Wright jumped up to 15 goals and 25 points in 44 games while rotating through the team’s middle-six. Wright ranked fifth on the team in goals that year, while making a strong impact on play outside of the offensive end. His scoring fell back to earth just a bit this year, to the tune of nine goals and 17 points in 44 games this season – though his strong two-way impact remained clear.
Wright will conclude his collegiate career with 64 points in 122 games – though those low marks are a bit deceiving. Nearly every single point he scored at even-strength was a primary point – 49 of 52 points over the last three seasons to be exact. That’s an almost-shockingly impressive mark for the 22-year-old, Burnsville, Minnesota native – who was relatively young for his class. Wright excelled at shutting down opponents on one end of the ice, and controlling the puck over the blue-line and creating chances on the other end. He’ll look to hang onto those talents through the move to pro hockey, while hopefully discovering a bit more scoring along the way.
Jared Wright Commits To University Of Denver
The University of Denver is getting another interesting prospect for the upcoming season, as Los Angeles Kings draft pick Jared Wright has committed to the program. Wright will leave the Omaha Lancers of the USHL after just one season, and start his college career, where he can continue to develop at one of the top hockey development programs in the country.
The Pioneers won last year’s National Championship and have a shot at repeating (especially if John Bucigross of ESPN is to be believed). Wright, 19, was picked in the sixth round by the Kings after going undrafted in his first year of eligibility, and had 34 points in 59 games for Omaha last season. An excellent skater, the 6’1″ winger’s style is well-suited to college hockey, and heading to Denver is likely the best chance he has of playing NHL games down the road.
Los Angeles meanwhile will have to wait and watch his development patiently, with the deadline to sign him now way down the road. Wright is joining a team loaded with other NHL draft picks, including quite a few second-round selections that will draw most of the focus. The college route has turned into one of the best paths a late-round player can take, giving them ample time to develop at their own pace against fully-grown opponents.