From Cornwall to California, Jordan Spence hopes to become a full-time member of the Los Angeles King in the Nation Hockey League.
5,710 kilometres. That’s the distance from Jordan Spence’s hometown of Cornwall, Prince Edward Island to Los Angeles, California. When he was drafted 95th overall by the L.A. Kings in the 2019 NHL Draft, Spence knew his dream of playing in the National Hockey League would be a battle. That’s nothing new for the Australian-born, right-shot defenseman. He has been battling adversity since he was 15 years old.
After suiting up for the Charlottetown Pride of the New Brunswick / PEI Major Midget Hockey League, Spence failed to have his name called in the 2017 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Draft. With a little extra motivation in his pocket, the then 16-year-old, went on to record 13 goals and 39 assists in 50 games with the Summerside Western Capitals of the Maritime Junior 'A' Hockey League. Spence was the obvious and only choice for the league’s Rookie of the Year.
Spence re-entered the 2018 QMJHL Draft with a chip on his shoulder. He wanted to prove to all 18 teams a mistake was made by not selecting him the year before. The Moncton Wildcats wasted no time selecting Spence 20th overall.
As a 17-year-old rookie, Spence appeared in all 68 games with the Wildcats during the 2018-19 season recording six goals and 43 assists which led to being named the QMJHL Rookie of the Year. That was followed up by being named the league’s Defenseman of the Year in 2019-20.
Another addition to his hockey resume came on March 10, 2022, when he became the first person born in Australia to play in the NHL. Spence scored his first NHL goal on March 26th.
With only two seasons of professional hockey under his belt, he earned the trust of Marco Sturm, head coach of the L.A. Kings’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Ontario Reign. During his second season in the AHL, Spence was counted on in all situations including matchups against the opposing teams’ best players and late-game heroics.
Another uphill climb will face Spence looking ahead to the 2023-24 NHL season. The L.A. Kings will have an opening on the right side of the third defensive pair. However, he will be battling for that spot with Brandt Clarke who was selected by the Kings eighth overall in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Spence can bring offense to the bottom pair and quarterback a power play. He may not be as dynamic offensively as Clarke, but he is a solid option for the third pair. Neither defenseman should be in the AHL or sitting in the press box, as I feel both should have a spot in the NHL. A tough decision looms as the battle for that spot on the right side on the third defensive pair will be worth watching.
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