Two years ago, Jordan Spence made history as the first Australian-born player with Japanese citizenship to grace the NHL. Since then, he has steadily evolved into a crucial component of the Los Angeles Kings’ defensive unit.
Initially, questions arose regarding Spence’s ability to withstand the NHL’s demanding physicality, given his listed size of 5’11’ and 180 pounds. However, Spence has dispelled any doubts through his consistent and reliable performances. According to Ryan Durham of The Hockey News, Spence has demonstrated over these past two seasons, that he is more than capable of handling the challenges presented by the league’s top-tier competition.
Los Angeles Kings Jordan Spence Proving To Be Big Enough For Big Games
“On the season, the 24-year-old blueliner has 23 points (3 G, 20 A), with 19 of these points being at even strength,” Durham writes. “Spence is one point shy of his best point-producing season and is projected to break that mark with 26 points this year. His rating of +16 is second best among Kings’ defenders behind Joel Edmundson (+24).
In points per 60 minutes played in all situations this season, Jordan Spence is averaging 1.182, ahead of seasoned veterans Vladislav Gavrikov and Joel Edmundson. Spence has also come up big in crucial moments, as evidenced by his seven game-winning points, good for second amongst LA Kings’ defensemen.
On a team that has struggled over the past few seasons to get offense from its defensemen, Spence’s ten primary assists and ten secondary assists rank just behind Brandt Clarke at 13 and 12 respectively. Simply put, LA’s offense is greatly impacted by whether Jordan Spence is on the ice or not. 60.7% of the Kings’ goals have been scored with Spence on the ice, only Alex Laferriere and Brandt Clarke have a higher On-Ice Goal percentage. The fact that Spence has managed to be this impactful with a TOI average of just 16:40, fifth among the Kings’ six regular defensemen, makes one wonder what he could do with more ice time.
Perhaps more surprising has been the added physicality that Spence has brought to his game this season. Spence has been credited with 67 hits so far this season, good for third behind Mikey Anderson (108) and Joel Edmundson (93). Spence has repeatedly shown that being an effective checker in this league has much more to do with picking the right spot and coming in at the correct angle than being a certain height or weight.”
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As Los Angeles Kings’ veteran defenseman and franchise icon Drew Doughty approaches his 36th birthday later this year, the emergence of Jordan Spence has provided a sense of reassurance for the team. Spence’s consistent and reliable play has positioned him as a capable option should head coach Jim Hiller decide to strategically manage Doughty’s ice time moving forward.
Spence’s development signals the arrival of the Kings’ next generation of core defensemen, indicating a promising future for the team’s blue line.