Spencer Sova

July 2022 – Sova was not chosen in the 2022 NHL Draft. He will return to the OHL for the 2022-23 season. Nick Richard

May 2022 – Sova entered the season with a bit of hype after a strong showing at last spring’s prospect showcase in Erie and though he played big minutes for the Otters this season, he didn’t produce at the level some expected. He netted nine goals and 19 assists in 64 games during the OHL regular season and was once again tasked with a prominent role at the U18 World Championships where he added three assists through three games representing Canada.

Sova is a toolsy defenceman who is still working to put it all together. He is a fantastic skater who excels on puck retrievals, utilizing shoulder checks to scan the play before evading pressure with his quick feet and great edgework. He isn’t necessarily an offensive driver from the back end but he makes a good first pass and has the ability to beat the first layer on his own to create a bit more space. Sova isn’t a huge threat from the point but his mobility allows him to control the line as a facilitator and he will jump into the play on occasion. Whether it be a matter of coaching or his own limitations, however, he doesn’t show much creativity with the puck on his stick and often wastes the space that his skating helps him create. Defensively, Sova uses his mobility to take away space and close on opposing attackers, both in transition and below the dots in his own zone. He uses his quick feet to mirror oncoming puck carriers and maintain a tight gap when defending the rush but can sometimes get caught watching the play unfold in the defensive end rather than dictating what is happening. Sova is certainly an unfinished product at this point but a team willing to take the risk could be rewarded down the road if he is able to put his wealth of physical tools to proper use. Nick Richard