Malcolm Spence – 2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile

As his OHL career has gone on, Spence started to show what all he was capable of. Because he has a late birthday, his third OHL season is his current draft season. On top of being an established defensive forward, he has 135 points in 131 OHL games in his past two seasons. While some question his offensive upside, it’s clear he has that element in his game. Playing under a defensive first coach in Stan Butler until he was fired had an effect on that part of Spence’s game.

But where Spence really shines is on the big stage. He scored the golden goal at the 2023 Hlinka/Gretzky Cup in his usual way. He went defense to offense in one sequence. He also helped Canada win gold at the U-18 World Championships. Having an ability to meet a big moment is a good intangible to have. Spence seems to rise to every occasion thrown his way.

In terms of his game, Spence is a disrupter. He uses his combination of size and speed to break up plays and is not afraid to throw the body around when that opportunity is there. Where he elevates to the level of a top prospect is what he is able to do after breaking up a play. He has the ability to create offense going the other way thanks to his vision and awareness. He has as many shorthanded goals in 2024-25 as he does power-play goals. He has five of each.

While he doesn’t have the point totals of some of his counterparts, that doesn’t mean he can’t produce offense. He went from 19 to 32 goals between his second and third season while maintaining a similar level of production in playmaking. He takes care of his own end first and then focuses on offensive production afterwards. Don’t be surprise if he becomes one of the best offensive players next season under new coach Kris Mallette.

Spence doesn’t have many flaws in his game. Although he can improve in the same way any prospect can at this point. He will need to add strength which he’s well on his way doing. There are times where he can make a simpler play rather than overcomplicating a situation. He’ll have every opportunity to improve on his consistency moving forward.

In all, the team who drafts Spence is getting a player who will impact the game all over the ice. He is also widely regarded as a player with high character and leadership. He is one of the Otters’ alternate captains and leads by example. He also does noteworthy work helping others get into the game of hockey.

Get to know the name. Malcolm Spence is going to make a team drafting him immensely happy given everything he brings to the table.

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Malcolm Spence – NHL Draft Projection

The industry expects Spence to be taken somewhere in the middle of the first round. He has the chance to exceed that projection based on his overall skill set and OHL playoff performance. Teams that miss out on the very top of the draft are going to be thrilled a player like him is available.

Quotables

“Malcolm Spence is a two-way forward who plays an aggressive forechecking game with adept defensive skills, logging significant time on both special teams. The Otters’ forward may not have the dynamic offensive abilities of some of the higher-end players in the draft but he has consistently produced well on the international stage amongst some of the best players in his age group. His game has many great qualities that coaches will love and his versatile skillset should make him an attractive option to NHL teams, meaning he likely won’t have to wait long to hear his name called next June.” –Gordon Munro, Recruit Scouting

“Malcolm Spence is a highly skilled and versatile forward with the potential to become a significant asset to any NHL team. His relentless drive, offensive and defensive capabilities, and leadership qualities make him a player to watch in the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft.” –Dominic Tiano, OHL Writers

“Spence is the type of player you can put out there with anyone and get solid results. The Mississauga, Ontario native isn’t flashy, but he’s a hard worker who loves hitting everyone he can and getting anyone off their game. He’s also on pace for around 90 points, so he’s no scrub in the offensive department. Spence isn’t a high-end producer in the OHL, but he has been a point-per-gamer for most of the past two seasons. He’s very versatile, although not necessarily a top-six play-driver. I think he will be one heck of a middle-six player, at the very least.” –Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff

Strengths 

Under Construction- Improvements to Make

NHL Potential

Spence’s upside will be determined by how much he is able to unlock his full offensive potential. As a floor, his potential is that of an impactful middle-six forward who will impact several areas of the game. If he can find that next gear offensively, he could become a top-six force one day.

Risk- Reward Analysis

Risk- 2/5, Reward 4.5/5

Fantasy Hockey Potential

Offense- 8/10, Defense 8.5/10

Awards/ Achievements

Spence has shined on the international stage. He has won gold medals at both the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup and at the U-18 World Junior Championship.

Interviews/ Links

Malcolm Spence Stats

Videos