Idaho Falls Veteran Defenseman MacLeish Named NCDC Fans Choice Defenseman Of The Year

By Joshua Boyd / USPHL.com

D.J. MacLeish is certainly thrilled he came back to the Idaho Falls Spud Kings, where he enjoyed so much success one season earlier. Even that success, however, was dwarfed by being able to lift the Dineen Cup high over his head as the Spud Kings became the first Mountain Division team (in just two seasons of the division’s existence) to win the NCDC playoff championship trophy. 

After earning the 2023-24 Mountain Division Defenseman Of The Year award, he was chosen by fans as the 2024-25 NCDC Fans Choice Defenseman Of The Year after a second strong go-round with Idaho Falls. He was also named to the 2024-25 NCDC Mountain All-Division team this season. 

“It’s truly an honor to be named Fans Choice Defenseman of the Year,” said MacLeish, a 2005-born native of Troy, Mich. “Idaho Falls has the best fans in junior hockey, and I’m incredibly proud to represent them. Their support means the world to me, and I couldn’t have achieved this without them.”

This season, MacLeish rejoined the Spud Kings out of the NAHL in November and proceeded to score 31 points in 37 regular season games. He also added three points during the team’s epic 12-game playoff run to the Cup title. One year earlier, MacLeish had posted 47 points in 50 games, and also played in the first three Spud Kings’ NCDC games.

“I’ve grown a lot since the start of the 2023–24 season. I’ve worked hard to become a more complete, two-way defenseman — making smarter plays offensively while being strong and reliable in the defensive zone. I’m proud of the strides I’ve made and excited to keep building on them,” said MacLeish. 

He will certainly never forget that moment he became a champion, crowding in a group embrace on the final buzzer in Wayne, N.J., and skating the Cup around the ice. 

“Looking back, it honestly feels like a dream. Bringing the Dineen Cup home to Idaho Falls is something I’ll never forget,” said MacLeish. “Huge credit goes to our coaching staff — Anthony Bohn, Joey Strada, Erik Hudson, and John Becanic — for believing in us and setting us up for success. And none of it would’ve happened without the brotherhood we had in the locker room — from our goalies to our forwards, every guy played a part. It was the best year of my life, and I’m so grateful to this team and this city.”

MacLeish is currently preparing for the 2025-26 season, and is expecting this to be his best season yet. 

“This offseason, I’m pushing myself harder than ever — both on and off the ice — to take every part of my game to the next level. I’m focused on sharpening my skill set and becoming the best version of myself so I can make the most of the opportunities ahead and prove where I belong.”

The NCDC congratulates D.J. MacLeish on winning his Fans Choice Award.