Jordan Spence Scores in Team Canada Debut

The Australian-born, raised in Japan, Team Canada defenseman shined in his debut at the 2021 World Junior Championships. On a team with 19 first-round draft picks and just one of two skaters not selected in the first round, Spence, a Kings fourth round selection has more than just fit right in with the loaded Team Canada roster.

Spence did not suit up in Team Canada's tournament opener against Team Germany, but found himself in the lineup for the team's second game against Team Slovakia just one night later.
"I was in the pregame skate and wanted to get my mind into it in case I was going to play. Then, just a few hours before our game I got the call that I would be in the lineup," Spence said in his postgame press conference alongside Canadian starting goalie Devon Levi following their 3-1 victory over the Slovak's.

For Spence, just being at the WJC has been a dream come true. But, just being there wasn't the only thing Spence was exuberant about following the game. On Spence's first shift, the offensive defenseman scored the first goal of the game, with 15:52 to go in the first period. Not only was it Spence's first shift, but it was Spence's first shot too.
"The experience has been amazing being a part of this tournament," Spence said. "It was my first shift and the puck was in the far corner so I crept in a little bit [to apply some zone pressure]. There ended up being a loose puck in front of the net and it came to me. Obviously I had to bury that, which I did. It was pretty cool."
"There were a lot of emotions going through me from being scratched, to coming back the next day and playing and scoring. But I'm more happy about us winning the game against Slovakia."

"He did a good job today," Team Canada Head Coach Andre Tourigny said. "He was ready and I thought Spence had a really good game against Russia in the exhibition too. We know he can be a real player. He's really good with the puck and moves it well. We're really happy for him, and he was ready. Right away from the first goal, he was in a great position. I'm really happy for him."