Jason Spezza

Canadian ice hockey executive and former NHL centre

Jason Rocco Anthony Spezza (born June 13, 1983) is a Canadian ice hockey executive and former professional player. He is currently the assistant general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL), and the general manager of their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Spezza's career as an NHL centre spanned 19 seasons, from 2002 to 2022.

Quick Facts

Born

13 June 1983

Birthplace

Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Position

Centre

Shoots

Right

Played for

Ottawa Senators
Rapperswil-Jona Lakers
Dallas Stars
Toronto Maple Leafs

Draft

2nd overall

Drafted by

Ottawa Senators

Lore & Background

After beginning his major junior career at the early age of 15 in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Spezza was selected second overall in the 2001 NHL entry draft by the Ottawa Senators, eventually serving as their team captain following the departure of Daniel Alfredsson. Playing in the AHL in 2004–05 due to the NHL lockout, he won the Les Cunningham Award as league MVP with the Binghamton Senators. In 2005–06, Spezza set an Ottawa Senators franchise record with 71 assists, while hitting the 90-point mark for the first of two times in his NHL career. He later played for the Dallas Stars and Toronto Maple Leafs. Following his retirement, he spent a year in the Maple Leafs' front office, before taking his current role with the Penguins.

Reader's Guide

Internationally, Spezza represented Canada at three World Junior Championships and two World Championships. When he made his World Junior debut in 2000, he became the third 16-year-old in history to make the team, after Wayne Gretzky and Eric Lindros.

Did You Know?

Spezza was born on June 13, 1983, in Mississauga, Ontario.
At age one, Spezza won a baby contest and became the poster boy for the Broadway musical Baby.