The LA Kings have signed forward Jared Wright to a two-year contract extension worth an average annual value (AAV) of $925,000 through the 2028-29 season.
Wright, 23, tallied three points (2-1=3) in two games with the Ontario Reign this season, the Kings’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, including the game-winning goal in Ontario’s season-opening win over Coachella Valley. Wright was recalled to the Kings on October 9.
Selected by the Kings in the sixth round (169th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, Wright made his NHL debut with the Kings on March 2 of last season and notched four points (0-4=4) in 23 games, including his first career point on March 7 against Montreal. He appeared in four postseason games as part of his Stanely Cup Playoffs debut. Wright also played in 54 games for the Reign, posting 17 goals and 30 points (17-13=30) with five game-winning goals, the second-most on the team.
The 6-1, 180-pound forward has suited up in 59 career AHL regular-season contests with Ontario over parts of three seasons, accumulating 19 goals and 34 points (19-15=34) with six game-winning goals, two shorthanded goals and 104 shots. He has one helper (0-1=1) in seven career Calder Cup Playoff outings.
Prior to his professional debut, Wright played three seasons of collegiate hockey at the University of Denver (NCHC), where he registered 32 goals and 54 points (32-33=54) in 122 games. In his sophomore year (2023-24), Wright collected 25 points (15-10=25) in a season that featured a career-long six-game point streak (Nov. 3-19, 2023; 4-3=7) capped by netting the game-winning goal in the NCAA Championship Game against Boston College on April 13, 2024, leading Denver to their 10th national title.
In addition to his National Championship, Wright earned several accolades during his time at Denver, including named to the NCHC Academic All-Conference Team twice (2022-23, 2023-24), chosen twice as a NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete (2022-23, 2023-24), and winning two DU’s Dr. Ken Bredesen Most Sportsmanlike Player (2022-23, 2023-24) awards.
A native of Burnsville, Minn., Wright previously spent one season (2021-22) with the Omaha Lancers in the United States Hockey League (USHL), notching 34 points (15-19=34) in 59 regular-season games and three points (1-2=3) in four Clark Cup Playoff appearances. He finished third on the Lancers in scoring in his lone season and was named the team's rookie of the year.
