Jordan Spence Bio
Jordan Spence is a Japanese-Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted in the fourth round, 95th overall, in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft by the Los Angeles Kings. After one season with the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, he joined the Kings’ AHL affiliate before making his NHL debut in 2022. Known for his strong two-way play, Spence brings a unique background, being a dual citizen of Canada and Japan.
Early Life and Background
Spence was born on February 24, 2001, in Sydney, 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.
Path to Hockey
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. Spence was named the league’s Raymond Lagacé Trophy as defensive rookie of the year, to the All-Rookie Team, and Rookie of the Year. He returned to Moncton for the 2019-20 season and helped lead the team to the top of Eastern Conference before the season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jordan Spence Career
Early Career (2018-2021)
Spence’s junior hockey career highlighted with the Moncton Wildcats saw him develop into one of the QMJHL’s most promising defencemen. In his second season (2019-20), he tallied nine goals and 52 points in 60 games before the season was cancelled. On May 20, it was announced that Spence had been awarded the Emile Bouchard Trophy as the league’s top defenceman. He was also named to the QMJHL’s First All-Star Team.
Spence began the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season with the Wildcats as 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. He appeared in 19 games with the Foreurs, scoring five goals and 24 points. The Foreurs qualified for the playoffs but were knocked out in the third round. In 15 playoff games, Spence added two goals and 20 points. He was named to the QMJHL’s 2021 First All-Star Team.
Los Angeles Kings Breakthrough (2021-2025)
Spence was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings 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 made his NHL debut with the Kings on March 10, 2022, as the first skater with Japanese citizenship to play in the NHL. 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.
In the 2022-23 season, Spence was assigned to the Reign 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. In six games with the Kings over multiple recalls, he tallied just the one point. He spent the remainder of the season with Ontario, recording four goals and 45 points in 56 games.
Spence became a full-time member of the Kings in the 2023-24 season, recording two goals and 24 points in 71 games. He had a brief one-game stint with Ontario in February before being recalled to replace the injured Mikey Anderson. 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.
On August 1, the Kings re-signed Spence to a two-year, $3 million contract. Going into the 2024-25 season, with the departure of Matt Roy, Spence moved up to the second pairing alongside Vladislav Gavrikov. He played 79 games, marking four goals and 28 points with solid defensive play. 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 Era (2025-Present)
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. The Senators made the playoffs and faced the Carolina Hurricanes in the opening round. The Senators were swept in the first round by the Hurricanes. On June 26, 2026, Spence signed a 4-year, $5 million AAV extension with the Senators.
Playing Style and Strengths
Spence is known for his strong two-way play and ability to contribute offensively from the defenceman position. He has a right-handed shot and stands at 5 feet 10 inches tall. His experience in the QMJHL helped develop his all-around game, particularly his playmaking abilities. As his NHL career progressed, he established himself as a reliable defenceman who can log significant minutes and contribute on the power play.
Notable Events and Milestones
Spence made NHL history on March 10, 2022, when he became the first player with Japanese citizenship to play in the National Hockey League. His versatility was demonstrated during his first season with Ottawa in 2025-26, when he stepped up to take on increased defensive responsibilities after injuries to the team’s top pairing. His ability to adapt to different roles has been a key factor in his development from a junior standout to an NHL regular.
Jordan Spence Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Spence has accumulated numerous achievements across different levels of competition. His junior career was marked by individual awards and team successes, while his NHL tenure has seen him develop into a steady presence on the blue line for multiple teams.
QMJHL Highlights
In his QMJHL career with the Moncton Wildcats and Val-d’Or Foreurs, Spence established himself as one of the league’s top defencemen. He was named the QMJHL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2018-19 and the league’s top defenceman in 2019-20. He was selected to the QMJHL First All-Star Team twice and was named to the All-Rookie Team in his rookie season. His 52 points in 2019-20 were a significant contribution to his team’s success.
Other Wins & Performances
Spence’s international career saw him represent Canada at the 2021 World Junior Championships, where he earned a silver medal. In 46 AHL games with the Ontario Reign, he recorded four goals and 42 points in his first professional season. His NHL debut marked a significant milestone as the first player of Japanese descent to play in the league.
Jordan Spence Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Jordan Spence comes from a multicultural family background. His father, Adam, is Canadian and introduced him to hockey during their time in Japan. His mother, Kyoko, is Japanese. The family’s international journey took them from Australia to Japan and finally to Canada, where Jordan developed his hockey career in Cornwall, Prince Edward Island. His parents’ support was instrumental in his development as a hockey player, particularly during his formative years when he was learning multiple languages and adapting to different cultural environments.
Personal Life
Spence’s unique background as a Japanese-Canadian dual citizen has shaped his perspective both on and off the ice. He speaks three languages – English, French, and Japanese – which has helped him connect with teammates and fans from diverse backgrounds. His multicultural heritage has also made him a role model for young players of Asian descent in hockey communities around the world.
2026 Season Performance
In the 2025-26 season, Jordan Spence established himself as a key player on the Ottawa Senators’ blue line after being traded from the Los Angeles Kings. His first full season with Ottawa saw him significantly increase his offensive production, finishing with seven goals and 31 points in 73 games. The emergence of Spence as a reliable top-four defenceman was crucial for the team, especially after injuries to Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot forced him to take on greater responsibilities. He responded well to the increased ice time and defensive assignments, demonstrating his ability to perform in high-pressure situations.
The Senators’ playoff run in 2026 was challenging as they faced the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round and were swept in four games. Despite the team’s elimination, Spence’s performance remained consistent throughout the series. His leadership experience from his time with the Kings and his ability to adjust to different systems proved valuable for the young Senators team. Looking ahead to the 2026-27 season, Spence is expected to continue his development as one of the team’s cornerstone defencemen with his new four-year contract extension providing stability for both player and organization.