**APRIL FOOLS 2025** WHL AWARDS EXPANSION FRANCHISE TO IDAHO FALLS **APRIL FOOLS 2025***Western Hockey League adds seventh Pacific Northwest United States based team.

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today the awarding of an expansion franchise to the Idaho Falls Spud Kings for the 2025-26 WHL season.

“This is an exciting day, as the Western Hockey League takes its next step as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players,” commented WHL Commissioner Dan Near. “Communities within North America produce talented young players from thriving grassroots hockey programs and we’re pleased to deliver another WHL franchises to the western United States.

Idaho Falls possesses an incredibly successful recent hockey history, a strong commitment from its municipal government, outstanding facilities, and community support.

“We’re thrilled with the announcement that the Western Hockey League is bringing the top tier of junior hockey to Idaho Falls,” said Rebecca Casper, Mayor of the City of Idaho Falls. “Our community has a long, proud tradition and this represents the next chapter in our story. The WHL will bring excitement, excellence and economic activity to our town and we can’t wait for the first training camp to open.”

USA Hockey has granted approval for the Idaho Falls Spud Kings to join the WHL and to sanctioned hockey activities.

The expansion of the WHL to Idaho Falls will increase the WHL footprint to 25 member Clubs by 2026-27, including 18 throughout Western Canada and seven in the Pacific Northwest United States.

“As we evaluate the everchanging landscape of hockey, this marks a critical opportunity for the WHL to invest in enhancing the WHL Player Experience across all WHL markets,” Near said. “The WHL remains committed to offering a world-class player experience for hockey’s elite junior-aged players, and with that, we will continually raise our standards across the board to adapt to the changing landscape.”

Strategically, Idaho Falls fits nicely within the WHL’s existing footprint in the Western Conference. Idaho Falls will join the WHL’s U.S. Division and Western Conference for 2025-26.

The WHL Idaho Falls franchise will be owned and operated by David Elmore and the Elmore Sports Group, who has been the sole of the Idaho Falls Spud Kings since 2022. Elmore Sports will migrate the Spud Kings franchise to the WHL.

“We are excited to welcome Elmore and the entire Idaho Falls community, to the WHL,” commented WHL Commissioner Dan Near. “Following productive conversations with USA Hockey we collectively agree that the addition of the Idaho Falls Spud Kings is good for the game of hockey on the continent.”

Erik Hudson will continue to serve as the General Manager and Anthony Bohn as the Head Coach of the WHL’s Idaho Falls Spud Kings.

“It’s a very exciting time for our community and the Idaho Falls Spud Kings,” Elmore said. “We feel the city and hockey team are ready to take the next step and join the WHL. With Erik Hudson, Anthony Bohn, and our staffs, we will be in a great place to have continued success.”

The Idaho Falls Spud Kings will be bound by USA Hockey’s existing player transfer regulations as well as WHL regulations. The Spud Kings will participate in the 2025 WHL Expansion Draft, which is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7. They will also participate in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft, 2025 WHL U.S. Priority Draft, and 2025 CHL Import Draft. The Spud Kings have begun recruiting a 15-player list, which will expand to the WHL standard 50-player list May 7.

“This is a monumental moment in our franchise’s history,” Hudson said. “The move to the WHL is the next chapter of hockey in Idaho Falls. “I look forward to this new challenge, while competing against the best players and coaches in junior hockey,” Bohn added.

Idaho Falls’s Mountain America Center – a WHL-ready, multi-purpose facility that seats 4,100 – has been home to the Idaho Falls Spud Kings since inception.

“Idaho Falls’ arena is WHL ready and is one of the best amateur sports facilities in all of North America,” Elmore said. “It is only natural that this gem houses a franchise in the WHL. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to bring WHL hockey to Idaho Falls for the 2025-26 WHL season.”