Former Summerside Western Capitals defenceman Jordan Spence has gone from Maritime Junior Hockey League Rookie of the Year to an NHL draft in 24 months. The 18-year-old was selected in the 4th Round, 95th overall, by the L.A. Kings at the NHL draft on Saturday in Vancouver.
.@monctonwildcats defenseman @jordanjs224 joins the LA Kings đ pic.twitter.com/FrZVoM2IW1
â LA Kings (@LAKings) June 22, 2019
Spence posted 13 goals and 39 assists in 50 games in 2017-18 for Summerside, with 4 goals and 13 assists in 12 playoff games. He was named to the Rookie All-Star Team in addition to Rookie of the Year honours.
Spence, who started the 2018-19 season as a 17-year-old, posted six goals, 43 assists, and a plus/minus of +11 in 68 games with the Moncton Wildcats and led all Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) rookies in assists and total points. He was also named the winner of the Raymond-Lagacé trophy as defensive rookie of the year. Spence was drafted in the 2nd round, 20th overall, in 2018 by Moncton.
In an article by Jason Simmonds with The Guardian, Spence credits the opportunity to join Summerside as a 16-year-old defenceman as a turning point in his career.
The Maritime Junior Hockey League congratulates Jordan Spence on his spectacular achievements.
*Updated on June 26th with reference to an article in The Guardian