LA Kings: Quinton Byfield and Jordan Spence make Canada’s WJC roster

The LA Kings have two prospects who made Team Canada’s roster for the WJC Tournament in Quinton Byfield and Jordan Spence.

While the NHL finalizes the logistics of the upcoming 56-game schedule, the hockey world’s attention has been captivated by the World Junior Championships. It’s no surprise that LA Kings 2020 second overall pick Quinton Byfield made Team Canada’s roster.

After making it as a 17-year-old last year, it was nearly a foregone conclusion that the Newmarket, Canada native would be playing for Team Canada.

However, the primary difference from last January is that Byfield is expected to have a much larger role in year two. He was largely limited to fourth-line play, logging an assist in seven games. Team Canada went on to win the Gold Medal, thanks to Kings’ 2018 second-round pick Akil Thomas.

In the red vs. white scrimmages, Byfield has primarily been playing on the first or second line. And he’s hoping to take what he learned last year and apply it toward defending Team Canada’s Gold Medal.

“Last year was a good experience and I got to experience a lot of the older guys and how they prepare themselves and what it really takes to win a gold medal,” Byfield told NHL.com. “Hopefully me, along with a couple other guys, can bring that veteran presence and carry it on to the other guys and hopefully we can go back to back here.”

One of the biggest surprises this season has been defenseman Jordan Spence. The 19-year-old was grabbed in the fourth round of what is shaping up to be a memorable 2019 Kings’ draft class.

A native of Sydney, Australia, Spence has been a point-producing machine from the blue line, tallying six goals with 43 assists in his draft year.

He bested that point total in eight fewer games last year and was off to a torrid pace in the 2020-2021 campaign. Spence was named an alternate captain for the Moncton Wildcats and already racked up 16 points (5 G, 11 A) in just 13 games.

He’ll join a Team Canada blue line that features names like Jamie Drysdale (Ducks), Kaiden Guhle (Canadiens), Bowen Byram (Avalanche), Braden Schneider (Rangers), and Justin Barron (Avalance).