The league held its annual draft on Saturday.
Western Capitals defenceman first Islander taken in QMJHL draft by Moncton Wildcats
Jordan Spence was not lacking motivation during the 2017-18 hockey season. His play on the ice clearly illustrated that. After going undrafted in the 2017 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Draft, the defenceman from Cornwall surprised a lot of people by cracking the roster of the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals of the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) as a 16-year-old. Once Spence was given an opportunity, he did not disappoint at the junior A level en route to recording 52 points in 50 regular-season games, 17 points in 12 post-season contests and earning the league’s 2017-18 rookie of the year award. “After I didn’t get drafted, I had a fire in my belly to prove all the scouts and Q teams wrong that I am able to play in the Q in the future,” said Spence shortly after the Moncton Wildcats called his name in the second round, 20th overall, of the 2018 draft. “(Going undrafted) really gave me a motivation to play really well, and I worked really hard for it last season. It was a great season with the guys.” Spence, who stands fivefoot-11 and weights 168 pounds and was the first Prince Edward Islander taken, did not attend the draft in Shawinigan, Que., but followed it online. “I’m really happy right now,” said Spence in a phone interview with the Journal Pioneer shortly after his selection was posted. “There are no words to explain it.” Spence, who just turned 17 in February, said he plans to work hard this summer, and attend the Wildcats’ training camp in August. “We are extremely proud of Jordan and the work he has put in this year,” said Capitals general manager Pat McIver. “He certainly deserves what he’s gotten.”
Third-round pick
The Capitals drafted Spence in the third round, 28th overall, of the 2017 MHL Entry Draft out of the Luke Beck-coached Charlottetown Bulk Carriers Pride major midget program. “At first I was not really expecting to make Summerside, but I told (Caps head coach) Billy (McGuigan) at the start of the summer, ‘I was going to try and make your team,’” said Spence. “All of a sudden I did make it, and I wanted to be an offensive defenceman like I was before.” Spence did exactly that as he finished third in team scoring in both the regular season and playoffs. He led the 12-team MHL in rookie scoring, led all defencemen with 39 assists, had 10 multiple-point games, scored nine of his 13 regular-season goals on the power play and was named the league’s rookie of the month for November. “Billy gave me a lot of opportunities, played me on PP (power play), PK (penalty killing) and in all the different situations,” said Spence in deflecting credit to his head coach. “That really helped me through the season.” McIver admitted that, although the Caps really liked Spence as a player, there was uncertainty if he was going to make the team heading into training camp. But Spence had other ideas, and McIver couldn’t be prouder. “Every day he came to the rink he improved, and he worked hard,” said McIver. “He exceeded our expectations at the start, but coming on the end of the season he was one of our top guys… We are extremely proud, as an organization, to have another player go to a higher level from our program.” Spence said he is very appreciative of the impact the Caps had on his development, especially the team’s veterans. “They are 20-years-old and have more experience than me,” he said in explaining his attentiveness to what the veterans had to say and how they acted. “My captain this year, Morgan MacDonald, was a great captain. He just really helped us and me along the way, and I really thank him for that.”