SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — It is fitting that Jordan Spence has been drafted by the Los Angeles Kings.
It could be suggested Spence’s journey to the National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft is tailored for Hollywood.
“Oh man, it’s an amazing feeling,” said Spence after the Kings took him in the fourth round, 95th overall. “Getting your name called, I have no words to describe it.
“I was hugging my parents and I was very excited. L.A. is one of my favourite teams.”
Aside from the fact he’s grown up a Kings’ fan and his favourite NHL player is Los Angeles defenceman Drew Doughty, Spence’s journey to this point is very unique and has covered the globe.
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The 18-year-old defenceman was born in Australia and lived there just under a year before his family moved to Japan, where he started playing hockey around age five.
“He grew up in Japan and Japan is his home,” said his father, Adam Spence.
The family moved to Cornwall, P.E.I. when Jordan was 12. But that is only part of his story. The hockey side can best be described as inspirational.
After playing the 2016-17 season with the Charlottetown Pride major midget team and going undrafted in that year’s Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Entry Draft, the Summerside Western Capitals selected him in the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) Entry Draft that spring.
Spence cracked the Caps’ roster as a 16-year-old and went on to win MHL rookie-of-the-year honours after recording 52 points in 50 regular-season games. His 39 assists were tops amongst defencemen.
The Moncton Wildcats drafted Spence in the second round, 20th overall, in the 2018 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Entry Draft. Again, he did not disappoint. Spence recorded 49 points in 68 regular-season games, including 43 helpers, while also being named the league’s rookie of the year.
“It’s a great story,” said Caps head coach Billy McGuigan, who sat with the Spence family in Vancouver on Saturday. “He persevered in his hockey career, got overlooked in the Quebec league draft, which happens sometimes.
“As a kid, he took that as motivation and did everything possible to get to the next level. Today, hearing his name called to the L.A. Kings 95th overall was a pretty surreal moment for the family.”
Click here for another related draft story with Jordan Spence:
Showed interest
Spence, who missed his graduation from Bluefield High School last week due to his commitments for the draft, acknowledged the Kings were one of the teams that showed interest in him. He was ranked 59th amongst North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.
“I kind of felt the vibe,” he admitted. “I was just being patient and when I got my name called I was really excited. L.A. was one of my favourite teams that I wanted to go to.
“I can’t wait until the camp.”
Spence will not have to wait long. He travelled from Vancouver to Los Angeles on Sunday for the Kings’ development camp that opens Monday. He admitted he was “really looking forward to” his first trip to Los Angeles.
“The work begins now trying to make it to the pros,” said Spence. “That’s what I’m looking forward to.”
Asked to describe Spence as a player, McGuigan offered: “His best traits are his offensive ability and his instincts. He’s a very smart player, has a big-time one-timer on the power play, likes to jump into the rush, but he also he carries a really good stick on the defensive side of the puck as well.”
Click here for related draft story with Jordan Spence:
Click here for another related draft story with Jordan Spence:
Resumé
Jordan Spence’s road to the NHL Entry Draft:
2014-15
Mid-Isle Matrix (Bantam AAA)
24 games, 3 goals, 12 assists, 15 points, 2 penalty minutes.
2015-16
Mid-Isle Matrix (Bantam AAA)
30 games, 19 goals, 25 assists, 44 points, 16 penalty minutes.
Named the league’s top defenceman and a first-team all-star.
2016-17
Charlottetown Pride (Major Midget)
33 games, 3 goals, 16 assists, 19 points, 16 penalty minutes.
2017-18
Summerside Western Capitals (Junior A)
50 games, 13 goals, 39 assists, 52 points, 16 penalty minutes.
Named MHL rookie of the year, selected to MHL all-rookie team and led all defencemen in assists.
2018-19
Moncton Wildcats (Major Junior)
68 games, 6 goals, 43 assists, 49 points, 18 assists.
Named QMJHL rookies of the year, selected to QMJHL all-rookie team, led rookies with 43 assists and announced as the QMJHL defensive rookie of the year.
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