Patrick Williams, TheAHL.com Features Writer
Jason Spezza developed his pro game in the AHL and is now learning the management side as well. The former top-line NHL scorer, who played 1,248 games and tallied 995 points, was the second-overall draft pick for the Ottawa Senators. Spezza made his pro debut with the Grand Rapids Griffins during the 2002 Calder Cup Playoffs before splitting the 2002-03 season between Ottawa and the Binghamton Senators. Hall of Famer John Paddock guided Spezza during his time in Binghamton, providing the tough guidance that Spezza acknowledges he needed.
During the NHL lockout in 2004-05, Spezza returned to Binghamton, leading the league with 117 points and earning the AHL’s most valuable player title. After retiring in 2022 following his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Spezza transitioned into management, joining the Toronto organization as a special assistant to general manager Kyle Dubas.
When Dubas moved to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2023, Spezza followed as an assistant general manager. He recently added the role of general manager for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to his responsibilities. With Pittsburgh focusing on developing young talent for the NHL roster, Spezza will play a crucial role in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the AHL affiliate.
Reflecting on his time with Binghamton and the transition into management, Spezza credits the AHL for shaping him as a player and making him more resilient. He notes that following in Dubas’s footsteps has provided him valuable insights into leadership and effective communication. Spezza recently managed the hiring of head coach Kirk MacDonald for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and looks forward to igniting the fan base with young, exciting prospects.
As a veteran AHL journalist, Patrick Williams has covered the league for two decades and contributes to NHL.com, FloSports, and SiriusXM NHL Network Radio. He received the AHL’s James H. Ellery Memorial Award in 2016 for his outstanding coverage of the league.
