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OHL Erie Otters

Malcolm Spence Drafted to Erie with Second Overall Pick in 2022 OHL Priority Selection

April 29, 2022 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Erie, Pennsylvania - The long-awaited pick is in: Forward Malcolm Spence (Mississauga Senators U16 AAA) will be the latest name etched into the history of 1st Round picks by the Erie Otters.

General Manager Dave Brown and Director of Hockey Operations Scott Grieve made the selection official on Friday evening, using the 2nd overall pick in the 2022 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Draft to select the OHL Cup Champion.

A 15-year-old native of Burlington, ON Malcolm Spence brings the honor of Greater Toronto Hockey League Player of the Year with him to Erie - an award also won by former Otter 1st Round picks Jamie Drysdale (2018), fellow #2 pick Dylan Strome (2013), and Connor McDavid (2012). In his latest season in the GTHL, Spence had a two-point-per-game average season with 56 points (29G+27A) in 28 games. During the OHL Cup, Spence would grab an additional 13 points (6G+7A) in seven games enroute to the Senators' OHL Cup Championship - and being named to the OHL Cup All-Star Team.

"The number of where I'm being drafted doesn't really matter to me, it was about getting to the right place. For Erie to be where they were [in the Draft], it was a no-brainer for me and my family. It's such a historic organization with all the success it's had, and I'm just hoping that I can contribute to it and have more success." said Spence, "I'm excited to play for the amazing fans in Erie, and how historic the organization is - to play and wear that jersey is truly an honor. It's a dream come true."

A highly-touted OHL draft-eligible player, the 6'1", 179 lbs. left-handed Spence was considered the top prospect among 2006-born prospects during the 2021-22 season - drawing comparisons to last year's 1st overall pick Quentin Musty (SBY).

"[Malcolm] was the guy from start-to-finish we had as the guy we wanted. We saw him early in the year, and we were excited about the opportunity of [him] being in the Draft." said Brown, "He plays a pro-style game, and we're just super excited to have him - not only his skill level, but his maturity and leadership that he brings off the ice. It's easy to talk about character, but it's even better when you know you've got it. He's lightyears above his age."

As his draft-eligible season progressed, his ability to be a game-changing point producer became even more evident. Otters' Co-Director of Scouting Mike Battah commended Spence's abilities.

"Malcolm is the most dynamic player in this Draft. His ability to analyze and make plays at top speed make him a threat to score every time he's on the ice." said Battah, "He plays the game with a tremendous amount of detail and passion, complimented by an outstanding work ethic. He is the complete package."

Spence is just the third player from the Mississauga Senators U16 / MM AAA to ever be selected by the Erie Otters, joining new teammate Elias Cohen, and Ryan O'Marra (2003, #4 overall) in the distinction. Spence will join fellow 1st Round draftees Carey Terrance (2021, #10), Spencer Sova (2020, #8), and Connor Lockhart (2019, #3) for the 2022-23 season.

"Malcolm is one of the most dangerous players in this age group, [and] possesses a great combination of speed, skill, size, and hockey sense." said OHL Central Scouting, "[He] will be fun to watch moving forward."

Erie - who finished just a point out from the final playoff spot in the Western Conference under first-year Head Coach BJ Adams - was awarded the opportunity to select 2nd overall on Wednesday, April 20 after finishing 'runners-up' in the inaugural OHL Top-Four Draft Lottery.

"[Malcolm's] offensive talents are off the charts. He sees the game really well, he thinks the game really well, he has a hunger to get to the net, his skating jumps off the page." said Adams, "I really love the way he attacks the net."

Spence is the third player in Otters team history to be drafted 2nd overall, following in the footsteps of Dylan Strome (2013) and Greg McKegg (2008).

The Erie Otters are thrilled to welcome Malcolm Spence to the Flagship City, and see what the dynamic Forward can bring in the Fall.

Erie has 15 remaining picks in the 2022 Priority Selection Draft, with two more on day one (1st Round 2nd Overall, two in 2nd Round [SOO, NB]), and 13 on day two (5th, two in 6th [PBO, OS], 7th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, three in 13th [NIAG, FLNT], 14th, 15th).

Keep up with all the Otters picks and results on OttersHockey.com or across the Otters' social media. For all results of the 2022 Priority Selection, please head to OntarioHockeyLeague.com.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from April 29, 2022


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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