Twenty-year-old forward Darwin Lakoduk has decided to start his U.S. college hockey career a semester early and has left the Prince George Spruce Kings.
The Kings announced Monday the Edmonton native, acquired a futures deal over the summer from the Penticton Vees, will be joining the American International College Yellow Jackets for the rest of the season.
The Yellow Jackets play in NCAA’s Division 1 Atlantic Conference and are based in Springfield, Mass.
“We are very happy for Darwin that his opportunity to join AIC has been moved up,” said Kings general manager Mike Hawes, in a team release.
“Darwin is a tremendous young man and a great player, and this opportunity will enhance his development. I know that the BCHL will get to a point that we will have a season, but Darwin will benefit from the fact that AIC is currently playing games.”
Lakoduk played 1 1/2 seasons with the Victoria Grizzlies and joined the Vees at midseason in 2019-20. He scored 11 goals and had 12 assists in 58 BCHL games combined with Victoria and Penticton last season.
“I want to thank the Spruce Kings and the city of Prince George for everything they did for me in the short time I was there,” Lakoduk said. “A special thanks to my billets, coaches, and the players. I am happy to call PG a second home now.”
The Kings have added forward Linden Makow to the roster to fill in for Lakoduk. Makow, 16, signed with the Kings in November. The Vanderhoof native played last year for the Cariboo Cougars Un-der-16 team and in 26 games he collected 23 goals and 14 assists. He started this season with the Cariboo Cougars U-18 team and played six exhibition games.
The Kings were due to resume practice Monday at Rolling Mix Concrete Arena for the first time in a month.
