Jordan Spence

Jordan Spence (born February 24, 2001) is an Australian-born Japanese-Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a defenceman for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted in the fourth round, 95th overall, of the 2019 NHL entry draft by the Los Angeles Kings.

Playing career

Amateur Spence played minor ice hockey with the Summerside Western Capitals of the Maritime Junior Hockey League. He went undrafted in 2017, but after leading all rookie scoring and finishing third on his team, he was selected by the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) in the second round, 20th overall, of the 2018 QMJHL entry draft. In his first season with the Wildcats in 2018–19, he recorded six goals and 43 assists for 49 points in 68 games. He established new records for the Wildcats with assists and points in a season by a rookie defenceman. The Wildcats qualified for the playoffs, but were eliminated in the second round by the Halifax Mooseheads. In four playoff games, Spence recorded one goal and four points. to the All-Rookie Team, and Rookie of the Year. He tallied nine goals and 52 points in 60 games before the season was cancelled on March 17, 2020. On May 20, it was announced that Spence had been awarded the Emile Bouchard Trophy as the league's top defenceman.

Spence began the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season with the Wildcats and was named an alternate captain. After appearing in 13 games with the Wildcats, registering five goals and 16 points, he was traded to the Val-d'Or Foreurs in exchange for goaltender Vincent Fillion and two draft picks. He appeared in 19 games with the Foreurs, scoring five goals and 24 points. In 15 playoff games, Spence added two goals and 20 points.

Professional Los Angeles Kings Spence skating in warm-ups on the Los Angeles Kings pride night for the 2021–22 season. Spence was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the fourth round, 95th overall, of the 2019 NHL entry draft. On June 3, 2020, the Kings signed Spence to a three-year, entry-level contract. Spence joined the Kings' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Ontario Reign, to begin the 2021–22 season. He was recalled on December 17, 2021, by the Kings, but did not play any games before being returned to Ontario. He was recalled on March 9, 2022, after Mikey Anderson was injured. In 46 games with the Reign, he scored four goals and 42 points. He tallied his first NHL point on March 13, when he assisted on Rasmus Kupari's first period goal in a 3–2 victory over the Florida Panthers. On March 26, Spence scored his first career NHL goal in a 4–2 win over the Seattle Kraken. He remained with the Kings for the remainder of the season, in which the Kings qualified for the playoffs finishing third in their division. In 24 regular season games, he recorded two goals and eight points. The Kings won the game 4–3, but eventually lost the series. Spence, who had no points through the first three games of the best-of-seven series, was replaced by Troy Stecher in the lineup beginning in game four. He was named to the AHL's All-Rookie Team and First All-Star Team at season's end.

He was assigned to the Reign to begin the 2022–23 season before being recalled on December 12. He made his NHL season debut on December 17 in a 3–2 shootout win over the San Jose Sharks. He recorded his only point of the season in a 5–2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on March 9, 2023, assisting on Phillip Danault's third period goal. In six games with the Kings over multiple recalls, he tallied just the one point. He the remainder of the season with Ontario, recording four goals and 45 points in 56 games. The Kings made the playoffs and once again faced the Oilers in the first round. He recorded his NHL playoff point on April 24, 2024, assisting on Kevin Fiala's third period goal in a 4–3 victory. The Oilers eliminated the Kings for the third consecutive year. In five playoff games, he tallied the one assist. Going into the 2024–25 season it was expected that with the departure of Matt Roy, Spence would move up to the second pairing alongside Vladislav Gavrikov. The Kings faced the Oilers again in the playoffs and once again, were eliminated by Edmonton. Despite playing regularly during the season, in the playoffs Spence saw his ice time cut nearly in half and was scratched for one of the games, He tallied his first NHL playoff goal on May 1 in the elimination game. In five playoff games, he recorded the one goal.

Ottawa Senators On June 28, 2025, at the 2025 NHL entry draft, Spence was traded by the Kings to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick. He made his Senators debut on October 13, paired with Tyler Kleven in a 4–1 victory over the Nashville Predators. He scored his first goal with Ottawa on November 9 in a 4–2 win over the Utah Mammoth. In the second half of the season, both of the Senators' top defencemen, Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot, went down with injury and Spence was asked to take on more responsibility. He responded well and saw his ice time increase. He finished the season with seven goals and 31 points in 73 games.

On June 26, 2026, Spence signed a four-year extension with the Senators.

International play

Spence was selected to play for Canada's junior team at the 2021 World Junior Championships. He made two appearances in the tournament, scoring his only goal in a 3–1 victory over Slovakia. The team advanced to the gold medal game where they lost to the United States, earning the silver medal.

Personal life Spence was born in Manly, New South Wales, Australia, to a Canadian father, Adam, and a Japanese mother, Kyoko. He lived in Australia briefly before moving to Osaka, Japan, where he first played baseball, as well as hockey under the tutelage of his father. At the age of 13, he and his family moved to Cornwall, Prince Edward Island, Canada. At that time, he had a "limited command" of English. Before his 20th birthday he was a dual citizen of Canada and Japan. He speaks English, French, and Japanese.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2019 Canada U18 4th 7 1 2 3 0 2021 Canada WJC 2 1 0 1 0 Junior totals 9 2 2 4 0

Awards and honours Award Year QMJHL Raymond Lagacé Trophy 2019 First All-Star Team 2020, 2021 First All-Star Team 2022