New Team, New League, New Position For Grant Spence

Pretty much nothing is the same for Grant Spence, other than the fact he’s playing hockey, and being counted on to produce.

After all, he’s on a new team, in a new city, in a new league, playing a different position.

Spence, who played last year for the GOJHL’s Chatham Maroons has made the step up to play Junior A with the OJHL’s North York Rangers. A step he’s enjoying with the faster pace and increased challenges.

“The OJ is a very high paced league with some very skilled players, it is definitely a step up from Junior B,” said Spence of his early season action with North York. “The game is faster and players have more skill up and down the lineup.”

Born and raised in Chatham, Spence, an Oshawa Generals draft pick, is living away from home for the first time, a challenge to itself.

“It’s definitely different not living at home but I have enjoyed it,” he explained. “I have a great billet family that I live with. North York is class A organization.”

Last season with Chatham, Spence played centre much of the season and was one of Chatham’s top producers scoring 18 goals and 41 points in 50 games as a Junior hockey rookie.

This season, he’s been transitioned to the wing, a role he’s adjusting to, and working to earn more ice time in with his new team.

“I am now playing the wing so that has been a huge adjustment but I think I am starting to get the hang of it.”

A proven scorer at each level, Spence will be counted upon by North York to continue that development in his first Junior A campaign.