Jason Spezza

Guide Note

Canadian National Hockey League player Jason Spezza acts as center of the Ottawa Senators' first line, between captain Daniel Alfredsson and Dany Heatley.

Since joining the Ontario Hockey League the age of fifteen, Spezza has been one of the most closely watched NHL prospects of recent years. His skills and playing style have been compared to those of NHL great Mario Lemiuex. He competed for Canada at the 2000 World Junior Championships to become the third sixteen year old, along with Wayne Gretzky and Eric Lindros, to play on the Championship team.

Fast Facts

1. Full name: Jason Anthony Rocco Spezza
2. Birth date: June 13, 1983
3. Birth place: Mississauga, Ontario
4. Position: Center
5. Shoots: Right
6. Jersey number: 19

Spezza was drafted as the second overall pick by the Ottawa Senators during the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He joined the team for 36 games during the 2002-2003 season and recorded 23 points. Midway through the 2007-2008 season, the Senators signed Spezza to a seven-year contract extension worth $49 million. He would go on to record a career high of 93 points in 80 games.