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Malcolm Spence is a two-way winger who spent the last three years with the OHL’s Erie Otters but is committed to join the Michigan Wolverines next year. He is one of the first and most high profile CHL players to jump to the NCAA after the recent changes in college eligibility rules.
Spence scored 32 goals and 41 assists for 73 points in 65 games this season. He also added four goals and five assists for nine points in nine playoff games. Spence also had two goals and three points in the two game CHL-USHL Prospects Challenge. He is no stranger to international events winning gold medals at the 2023 Hlinka Tournament and the 2024 IIHF Under 18s. In the two tournaments combined, Spence scored five goals and seven assists for 12 points in 12 games. Coming up clutch, Spence scored the golden goal in the Hlinka.
Malcolm Spence 2025 NHL Draft Scouting Report
Left Wing — shoots Left
Born September 22, 2006 — Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Height 6’1″ — Weight 203 lbs [185 cm/92 kg]
Skating
Malcolm Spence blends his size with excellent skating ability. He has a very good first step and excellent acceleration. Spence can go wide on a defender and drop his shoulder and drive to the front of the net. He has very good speed, allowing him to get up and down the ice, as well as to get in quickly on the forecheck. Spence has decent agility and edgework but mostly plays a north-south style of game. He is strong on his skates, winning battles on the boards and in front of the net against his peers. Spence also has good lower body strength, maximizing his balance and making him tough to knock off the puck. This should only improve as he gets stronger.
Offensive Game
Spence is your prototypical power forward. He loves to get involved in the physical areas of the ice. Spence drives the net both with and without the puck. He also gets in quickly on the forecheck, punishing opposing defenders and forcing them into mistakes and turnovers. Spence cycles the puck well, protecting it down low and maintaining puck possession. He reads the play well and makes smart passes to teammates. His vision and passing skills are amongst his best assets. He is just as likely to go through a defender as he is to go around them. He could stand to improve his stickhandling and puck control. Spence can sometimes slow down with the puck on his stick.
Spence can score goals as well. He has a heavy wrist shot and a very good release. It is deceptive and can fool goalies. Spence also has the soft hands to score in tight to the net. He can drive the net and deke the goalie. His size and willingness to play in the dirty areas of the ice is also seen when he goes to the net without the puck. Spence causes havoc, screening goalies, deflecting in teammates pucks, one-timing passes to the back of the net and pouncing on rebounds. Spence has a non-stop motor. He is always involved in the physical areas of the ice and in scrums after the whistle. His forechecking is relentless.
Defensive Game
Spence is also good in his own zone. He uses his size and physical ability to support the defence down low and defend the cycle game. He is also willing to block shots. Smith uses an active stick to cut down passing lanes or poke check opponents and create turnovers. He is a smart player who reads the play well and gets himself in positions to stop an opponents attack. He also provides effective back pressure supporting against the rush. Once a turnover is created Spence is able to quickly transition to offence. An effective penalty killer, he scored five shorthanded goals for the Otters this season.
Projection and Comparison
Spence plays the style of game that NHL teams are looking for right now. His physical and gritty game is what succeeds in the NHL playoffs. He may need time to continue getting stronger and rounding out his game, but with his move to the NCAA will be able to spend plenty of time on these areas. Spence’s smarts and two-way game will allow him to play all situations. He may not have the high-end skills that will see him competing for scoring titles, but if he develops he could be a solid top-six contributor who contributes far more than what is seen on the scoresheet. Expect him to spend a year or two at Michigan before jumping to the AHL and eventually the NHL. His game is reminiscent of Alex Tuch. This is a stylistic comparison only though and not one based on skill and ability.
Main Photo: Brady Smith- Imagn Images
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