Erie Otters Forward Malcolm Spence Selected #43 Overall By the New York Rangers in 2025 NHL Entry Draft
Erie, Pennsylvania — Another Otter hears his name called on the big stage in Los Angeles at the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
Erie Otters forward Malcolm Spence was selected #43 by the New York Rangers.
Spence becomes the second Otter all-time to be selected #43 overall, following Michael Blunden in 2005.
The Burlington, ON native is coming off of a terrific year with Erie where he was a point-per-game player with 73 points (32G+41A) over 65 games.
Spence was no stranger to the national scene last season as he was selected to represent the Otters at various top prospect events.
Earlier this offseason, it was announced that Spence would continue his development at the University of Michigan for the 2025-26 season.
Otters General Manager Dave Brown spoke with excitement about Spence’s selection and what he has meant to the Otters organization.
“As an organization, it’s a privilege to have players recognized and selected by the National Hockey League and the 32 teams,” Brown said. “The Otters are very proud of Malcolm and his accomplishment of being selected, and we are super excited for this future hockey endeavor. Malcolm is proof that hard work and determination are a recipe for achieving your personal goals. We are excited to watch Malcolm work toward becoming yet another member of a large group of alumni who leave their mark on the National Hockey League.”
Spence continues a long history of Otters players being selected in the NHL Draft as he becomes the 47th Otter to be taken in the NHL Entry Draft and second this draft behind teammate Matthew Schaefer. The Otters have now had a player selected in five straight drafts dating back to 2020, and have had at least one player’s name called in 24 total drafts from 1997 to 2025. Spence joins Schaefer (New York Islanders #1 ’25) and teammate Carey Terrance (Anaheim #59 ’23 (Now with NYR)) as the only three Otters players rostered by NHL organizations.
Spence becomes the third Otters’ player to be selected by the New York Rangers, following in the footsteps of Mitch Gaulton (#171 ’08) and Andrew Yogan (#100, ’10).
Spence came into the draft very highly touted as he was ranked as the #17 North American skater by NHL Central Scouting.
His selection represents a continued tradititon of excellence that has seen numerous Otters players go on to play in NHL games and even hoist the Stanley Cup.
The entire Otters organization congratulates Malcolm on his accomplishments and recognition, and look forward to his continued development on the road to his professional hockey career.
ALL-TIME ERIE OTTERS NHL DRAFT SELECTIONS
|
Year
|
Player
|
NHL Team
|
Pick (Overall)
|
|
1997
|
Jason Ward
|
Montreal Canadiens
|
11th
|
|
|
Patrick Dovigi
|
Edmonton Oilers
|
41st
|
|
|
Adam Nittel
|
San Jose Sharks
|
107th
|
|
1998
|
Michael Rupp
|
New York Islanders
|
9th
|
|
1999
|
Tim Connolly
|
New York Islanders
|
5th
|
|
|
Sean Dixon
|
Montreal Canadiens
|
167th
|
|
2000
|
Nikita Alexeev
|
Tampa Bay Lightning
|
8th
|
|
|
Brad Boyes
|
Toronto Maple Leafs
|
24th
|
|
|
Michael Rupp
|
New Jersey Devils
|
76th
|
|
2001
|
Carlo Colaiacovo
|
Toronto Maple Leafs
|
17th
|
|
|
Adam Munro
|
Chicago Blackhawks
|
29th
|
|
2002
|
Brian Lee
|
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
|
71st
|
|
|
Scott Dobben
|
Ottawa Senators
|
113th
|
|
2004
|
Josh Disher
|
New Jersey Devils
|
185th
|
|
|
Chris Campoli
|
New York Islanders
|
227th
|
|
2005
|
Ryan O’Marra
|
New York Islanders
|
15th
|
|
|
Michael Blunden
|
Chicago Blackhawks
|
43rd
|
|
2007
|
Nick Palmieri
|
New Jersey Devils
|
79th
|
|
|
Anthony Peluso
|
St. Louis Blues
|
160th
|
|
|
Luke Gazdic
|
Dallas Stars
|
172nd
|
|
|
Zack Torquato
|
Detroit Red Wings
|
178th
|
|
|
Josh Kidd
|
Los Angeles Kings
|
184th
|
|
2008
|
Mitch Gaulton
|
New York Rangers
|
171st
|
|
2009
|
Ryan O’Reilly
|
Colorado Avalanche
|
33rd
|
|
|
Jaroslav Janus
|
Tampa Bay Lightning
|
162nd
|
|
|
David Shields
|
St. Louis Blues
|
168th
|
|
2010
|
Greg McKegg
|
Toronto Maple Leafs
|
62nd
|
|
|
Andrew Yogan
|
New York Rangers
|
100th
|
|
2012
|
Adam Pelech
|
New York Islanders
|
65th
|
|
|
Connor Brown
|
Toronto Maple Leafs
|
156th
|
|
2013
|
Connor Crisp
|
Montreal Canadiens
|
71st
|
|
2014
|
Kyle Pettit
|
Vancouver Canucks
|
156th
|
|
2015
|
Connor McDavid
|
Edmonton Oilers
|
1st
|
|
|
Dylan Strome
|
Arizona Coyotes
|
3rd
|
|
|
Travis Dermott
|
Toronto Maple Leafs
|
34th
|
|
2016
|
Alex DeBrincat
|
Chicago Blackhawks
|
39th
|
|
|
Taylor Raddysh
|
Tampa Bay Lightning
|
58th
|
|
|
Jordan Sambrook
|
Detroit Red Wings
|
137th
|
|
2017
|
Ivan Lodnia
|
Minnesota Wild
|
85th
|
|
2020
|
Jamie Drysdale
|
Anaheim Ducks
|
6th
|
|
Chad Yetman
|
Chicago Blackhawks
|
172nd
|
|
|
2021
|
Connor Lockhart
|
Vancouver Canucks
|
178th
|
|
2022
|
Christian Kyrou
|
Dallas Stars
|
50th
|
|
2023
|
Carey Terrance
|
Anaheim Ducks
|
59th
|
|
2024
|
Ty Henry
|
Chicago Blackhawks
|
163rd
|
|
2025
|
Matthew Schaefer
|
New York Islanders
|
1st
|
|
2025
|
Malcolm Spence
|
New York Rangers
|
43rd
|
Fans can score a piece of Otters history with Dash! Auctions and raffles are live now featuring memoribilia from this year’s number one pick!
Matthew Schaefer and Malcolm Spence Jersey and Puck Bundle Raffle:
Matthew Schaefer Designed Jersey Auction:
Otters fans can also get their hands on exclusive merch from tonight’s festivities by visting the Otters Den Team Store!
NHL DRAFT TRACKER: NHL.com
Player Eligibility: All North American players who are 18 years old by September 15 of the year of their draft, and under 20 years old by Dec. 15 of that same year are eligible. Non-North Americans begin eligibility at the same time but maintain eligibility until 21 years old.
Keep up with both of the Otters picks and results on OttersHockey.com or across the Otters’ social media. For all results of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, please head to NHL.com.
For the latest Otters news, visit OttersHockey.com, or follow the team on Facebook (Facebook.com/erieottershockey), Twitter (@ErieOtters), and Instagram (@ErieOtters).
For further information on the Erie Otters and for media inquiries, please contact Trevor Kubeja at [email protected].
