CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Jordan Spence keeps producing as he moves up to higher levels of competition.
The Cornwall native went undrafted at the 2017 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) draft when 250 players heard their names called by the 18 squads restocking their cupboards with prospects.
However, the offensive defenceman went on to flourish in Summerside with the D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals, amassing 52 points in 50 junior A games and turning heads along the way.
The Moncton Wildcats selected him in the second round of the 2018 QMJHL draft. He’s fifth in team scoring and first among its defencemen with 33 points in 40 games as a rookie.
And he’s garnering a ton of attention for the NHL draft, which will be held in June in Vancouver.
“It’s pretty awesome to hear that,” Spence said Friday. “But right now, I’m just trying not to focus on the NHL draft and the rankings and play my game.”
The offensive defenceman had a good season in his junior draft year and never really received an explanation why he wasn’t selected. He is currently five-foot-10 and 170 pounds, but that isn’t as much of an issue as it once was.
“Not getting drafted in my first year was a bummer, but I think I’ve improved a lot after the draft,” Spence said. “It . . . motivated me to become a better player.”
Wildcats head coach Darren Rumble said they quickly noticed the youngster putting up big numbers in Summerside. Rumble said it is hard to get a real good read on players without seeing them live.
“I really had no idea just how good his hockey sense was, his reads and his playmaking ability,” he said.
The former Prince Edward Island Senators defenceman didn’t foresee Spence stepping right into Moncton’s lineup and producing the way he has.
“He’s been outstanding for us,” Rumble said. “At this level, he’s a franchise defenceman. I can't believe he snuck through the draft the first time.”
Spence is another example for young hockey players to not give up when things don’t go their way at the draft.
“It doesn't mean it’s over,” Rumble said. “The draft just gives you the opportunity to go to a camp. . . It definitely doesn’t mean the door is shut and Jordan is a good example of that.”
While Spence’s bread and butter is his offence, he’s far from a one-trick pony and not a liability in his own zone.
“I am a defenceman, so I have to shut down the forwards that are coming towards us,” he said. “I’m not six-foot-two, so that’s why every time I’m on the ice I have to make smart plays.”
It means being positionally sound, making good reads and taking good paths towards pucks.
Spence is playing a lot for the Wildcats, including on its top power-play unit.
“Right now, I think they trust me to go on the ice in almost every situation,” he said. “It’s great so far, and I’m having fun.”
Spence credits his season with the Capitals for helping him get to where he is now.
“I think I gained a lot of confidence and improved a lot of my skills,” he said. “(By) the end of the season, they put me in every situation and that really helped me a lot.”
The Wildcats were 24-12-2-2 before Friday’s home game against Quebec and were one of the league’s top team for most of the first half but are 5-8-0-2 in their past 15 games. They travel to Charlottetown Sunday for a 3 p.m. game with the Islanders.
“We have to come out strong against them because they are a good team,” Spence said. “They’re a hard-working team, so we have to be ready from the first period.”
Spence, who turns 18 in February, has had a couple of chances this season to play at the Eastlink Centre, where he grew up watching games.
“It’s been great,” he said. “It’s close to home and a lot of my friends and family are there. Charlottetown is a great team too and it's a big rivalry.”
Need to know
Jordan Spence
Who – A rookie defenceman with the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
Age, hometown – 17-year-old Cornwall native
Height, weight – Five-foot-10, 170 pounds
Acquired – Spence was selected with the second pick of the second round (20th overall) by Moncton at the 2018 draft.
Statistically speaking – Spence has three goals this season. They have all come on the power play.
Statistics
Season League GP G A Pts.
2015-16 Bantam AAA 30 19 25 44
2016-17 Major Midget 33 3 16 19
2017-18 Junior A 50 13 39 52
2018-19 Major junior 40 3 30 33
Coach Darren Rumble: “His hockey sense is his best asset.”
Spence: “I wouldn't do this without my teammates. My teammates have helped me along the way, too.”
Did you know? Spence was named the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's rookie of the month for December. He had 11 assists in 10 games. He is third overall in defencemen scoring for the season.
