SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — It was a special hug Jordan Spence and his family will never forget.
The 18-year-old defenceman from Cornwall was just selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the fourth round, 95th overall, of the National Hockey League Entry Draft in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday afternoon.
“Both my parents (Adam and Kyoko Spence) were sitting beside me and when I got my name called I hugged them both,” Jordan told the Journal Pioneer in a phone interview. “My sister (Kairi, 14) has been through a lot, so I hugged her and my uncle (Dean McHarry) was there and (Summerside Western Capitals head coach) Billy McGuigan was there, too.”
Adam, who acknowledged “it was a dream come true for Jordan” to be drafted, talked about the emotions the family shared.
“I can’t even put into words what it means to Kyoko, Kairi and I,” said Adam. “All these kids have the same dream and same hope, but when it really became a reality of having his name picked, I was speechless.”
Click here for related draft story with Jordan Spence:
Adam admitted everything kind of went blank when the Kings announced Jordan’s name.
“When they first called his name, Kyoko and I gave him a big hug,” said Adam. “Kyoko was quite emotional and I know it got me as well.
“We are still going through it now, to be honest. It’s an awesome, awesome feeling.”
Click here for another related draft story with Jordan Spence:
Billy McGuigan, who coached Jordan two years ago with the Summerside Western Capitals of the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) and attended an NHL Coaches Association conference, was sitting with the family and had a ringside seat for the once-in-a-lifetime moment.
“It was a pretty emotional time and day for the family,” said McGuigan. “I saw a few tears in a proud father’s eyes when Jordan was selected 95th overall.”
Click here for feature story on Jordan Spence from November 2017 while playing with the Western Capitals:
Click here for story on Jordan Spence drafted by the QMJHL's Moncton Wildcats in 2018:
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