OTTAWA — Jordan Spence couldn't have picked a better moment to score his first goal of the season.
With his father's trip hosted by the Ottawa Senators, Adam Spence had the opportunity to watch his son score his first goal with the Ottawa Senators and his first of the season.
With just nine NHL goals to his name and the first four years of his career spent in Los Angeles, Spence Jr. believes this is the first NHL goal his father will see in person, making it even more special.
“It was really nice,” Spence admitted. “I think I had good chances throughout all seven games, especially in the first game, and, you know, obviously it felt really good to take advantage of that.”
The 24-year-old, acquired in a trade at the NHL Draft, has been in and out of the lineup but has made the most of his opportunities.
In just his seventh game of the season, Spence started the game paired with Tyler Kleven and then moved up with Thomas Chabot, finishing with a season-high 20:01 of ice time.
Spence scored on his first shift with Chabot and spent the rest of the game next to him.
Head coach Travis Green credited assistant coach Nolan Baumgartner for the change. Green said he thinks some couples struggle after the first period, and Baumgartner made the change and it paid off.
Chabot said he thought the transition went smoothly and the couple did well, and thanked Spence for his performance.
“His poise, vision and hockey sense are amazing,” Chabot said.
Getting in and out of the lineup has its challenges, and Spence admitted it's not always easy.
“Sometimes it gets to you mentally, but you know, you just have to put that aside and focus on yourself every day when you come to the rink,” Spence said.
“Whether you're playing or not. I just want to go out and practice and even in the gym just to improve my game and that's what I have to do. I just have to have a positive attitude every day.”
Like most players, Spence wants to be in the lineup for every game. The Senators currently have seven defensive backs, with Spence and Nicholas Matinpalo each struggling.
At this point, Green seems to be making decisions based on the opponent and what he is looking for in matchups. Spence, who is five-foot-11 and 188 pounds, is on the lighter side of the six-foot-three, 213-pound Matinpalo.
At the end of the day, Spence says he just wants to play the right way and if the opportunity to be physical comes along, he won't shy away.
“You know, I’m not a big guy, but if I get there, I’ll get there,” he said. “And I’ve been like that ever since I got to the NHL.”
Along with his father, who calls Prince Edward Island home, he will be here until next Sunday and would like to have the opportunity to play a few more games with his personal cheerleading squad.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 9, 2025.
