Mixed emotions for P.E.I.'s Jordan Spence after trade to Ottawa Senators
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The Los Angeles Kings traded Spence to the Ottawa Senators for a 2025 third-round draft choice and a sixth-round pick in 2026.
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'Just being in L.A. for so long and them actually calling and telling me that I got traded, it was kind of just like a reality check on a lot of emotions that went through my mind,' the 24-year-old Spence told The Guardian in a phone interview on June 28. 'But, at the same time, I found myself (knowing) that it could happen after the season. So once that happened it was unfortunate, but, at the same time, I am really excited to be able to play in Ottawa now.'
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The five-foot-11, 192-pound Spence, from Cornwall, P.E.I., spent parts of the last four seasons with the Kings, who drafted the defenceman in the fourth round, 95th overall, in 2019.
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Spence became a regular in Los Angeles two years ago, recording 24 points in 71 regular-season games during the 2023-24 campaign and 28 points in 79 regular-season games this past season.
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'The past couple of years, I think I've showcased well, during the season to be able to play as a two-way defenceman,' said Spence. 'I've played power play and unfortunately, I did not really get to play penalty kill.
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'I just want to be the type of defenceman that can be relied on in all situations. That's my end goal, to be honest, and if I play my game, if I do well and, just really stick to what I can do on the ice, I think I can fit really well into their system and into their team.'
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ADVANTAGES
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Spence, although disappointed to be leaving Los Angeles, said there are advantages to the trade.
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One is geographically as Ottawa is considerably closer to P.E.I. Spence joked he will now be back living through good old-fashioned Canadian winters after living in California.
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'At the end of the day, I'm still really excited to be going to Ottawa and having that opportunity to maybe play a bigger role,' said Spence, who was born in Australia. 'I just want to come to camp ready. I just want to have a big summer, work on the things that I have to work on, and then, just be ready to have a big season.'
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