Former Chiefs star Spurgeon plays 1,000th NHL game with Minnesota Wild
St. Paul, Minn. – Former Spokane Chiefs star Jared Spurgeon played the 1,000th game of his NHL career Saturday night, as his Minnesota Wild dropped a 4-2 decision to the visiting New York Rangers at Grand Casino Arena.
The 36-year-old Spurgeon, who serves as captain of the Wild, will be celebrated during a special pre-game ceremony Saturday, March 21, when the Wild host the Dallas Stars.
“It’s a huge honour. It’s a pride thing to put that logo on your chest and play for the teammates you have and the organization,” Spurgeon told Dylan Daniel of Wild.com. “It meant a lot for Bill (Guerin) to put that trust in me.”
Spurgeon was originally a 10th round pick (188th overall) of the Chiefs in the 2004 WHL Draft. Hailing from Edmonton, Alta., the 5-foot-9, 165-pound rearguard spent five seasons in the WHL as a member of the Chiefs, winning a WHL Championship and Memorial Cup in 2008.
Over 266 career WHL regular season outings, the mobile blueliner recorded 170 points (37G-133A), adding another 14 points (2G-12A) in 40 WHL Playoff games. He finished his WHL career with three consecutive seasons featuring 40 or more points, including a career best 51 points (8G-43A) in 54 games in 2009-10.
Selected by the New York Islanders in the sixth round (156th overall) of the 2008 NHL Draft, Spurgeon went unsigned before attending camp with the Wild, eventually signing a three-year, entry-level contract with Minnesota in September 2010.
Ultimately, the rest is history, as Spurgeon has spent the entirety of his NHL career in the Twin Cities. He was named captain of the Wild in January 2021. On two occasions (2021, 2022), Spurgeon has been named a finalist for the Lady Byng Trophy, presented annually to the NHL’s most gentlemanly player. In 2022, he was the Wild’s nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, presented annually to the player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.
“When you talk about Spurgeon, you think of a perfect person. His professionalism is the biggest thing with him – he’s one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet,” teammate Marcus Foligno told Wild.com. “He’s a great friend, that’s what’s special about him – how great of a father he is and husband. How much he includes people since he took over as captain, he’s been a guy that’s so inclusive with everyone. The culture starts with him.”
Over 1,000 NHL regular season games, he has tallied 434 points (123G-311A) and a plus-127 rating.
“This is a very special place. All but one of my kids were born here, but Zach (Spurgeon’s oldest son) was raised here since he was two. We love it here, the people here and the organization. To be able to do it all in one place is special.”
Spurgeon is the 421st player in NHL history to reach 1,000 games played. He is only the 76th player in NHL history to accomplish the feat with a single franchise.
Spurgeon made his NHL debut on November 29, 2010, at Calgary.
He is the Wild’s all-time franchise leader in time on ice, blocked shots, plus-minute, and ranks second in games played and power-play points. Among defencemen, he is first in Wild franchise history in games played, goals, points, power-play goals, shots on goal, and game-winning goals.
Spurgeon and the Wild are enjoying an impressive 2025-26 NHL campaign. The team is 38-17-12 (88 points) through 67 games, and sits third in the NHL’s competitive Central Division, while ranking fifth across the entire NHL.
In 67 games this season, Spurgeon has secured 18 points (6G-12A).
he’s a special player
congratulations Cap, you deserve it all and more!!#mnwild | @StarTribune pic.twitter.com/2hvAeyrb4W
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) March 14, 2026
The second player in @mnwild franchise history to reach 1,000 NHL career games played – congrats to captain, Jared Spurgeon 🫡 pic.twitter.com/zcgXnsnqEl
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) March 14, 2026
1,000 GAMES FOR THE CAPTAIN 🌲
Jared Spurgeon hits the milestone having played all 1k with the @mnwild!
Presented by @ServiceNow pic.twitter.com/iqerc6lxci
— NHL (@NHL) March 14, 2026
It's Mr. 1,000! 🙌
Jared Spurgeon is playing his 1,000th game tonight! pic.twitter.com/xchgHesuL6
— NHL (@NHL) March 14, 2026
Loading ...