Lawsuit targets Spud Kings’ move to NAHL

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Falls Spud Kings are at the center of a new lawsuit following their offseason move to the North American Hockey League.

According to a report by JuniorHockey.IO, the United States Premier Hockey League filed a lawsuit on June 22, 2026, in the Delaware Court of Chancery, claiming the Spud Kings and three other former mountain division teams secretly planned their departure to the NAHL while still under league contracts.

The report specifically names Spud King's former General Manager, Erik Hudson, along with East Idaho Hockey Inc. President Kevin Greene. The lawsuit alleges that during his role as general manager, Hudson was privy to sensitive information as the only non-member invited to attend Executive Committee meetings.

"The lawsuit alleges that Hudson sat in these meetings, absorbing confidential blueprints, all while simultaneously conspiring to move his team to a direct competitor," states the report.

The league is seeking more than $1 Million in damages and is petitioning the court to prevent the four teams from competing in the NAHL while the case moves forward. The Spud Kings previously competed in the NCDC, the top tier of the USPHL.

The lawsuit calls the future of the Spud King's 2026-27 season into question, even while the team is actively announcing its new roster. Thursday, the team's Instagram page announced the Spud Kings had Chase Buehler.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 has reached out to current Spud Kings management for comment and is actively attempting to contact former management. Updates will be provided as they become available.