Blake Speers (born January 2, 1997) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who is currently playing with Belfast Giants in the UK's Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL).

Blake Speers
Speers with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in 2016
Born (1997-01-02) January 2, 1997 (age 27)
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Right
EIHL team
Former teams
Belfast Giants
New Jersey Devils
Arizona Coyotes
Albany Devils
Binghamton Devils
Tucson Roadrunners
Västerås IK
NHL draft 67th overall, 2015
New Jersey Devils
Playing career 2016–present

Speers was most recently with Västerås IK in the HockeyAllsvenskan (Allsv), and has formerly played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the New Jersey Devils and the Arizona Coyotes.

Playing career

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Speers began his major junior career playing with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the Ontario Hockey League before he was drafted in the 3rd round, 67th overall, by the New Jersey Devils in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.[1] On September 21, 2016, Speers signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Devils.[2] On October 11, 2016, it was announced that Speers had made the Devils opening night roster for the 2016–17 season.[3] He made his NHL debut on October 13, 2016 in a 2–1 overtime defeat against the Florida Panthers.[4] After three scoreless games with the Devils, Speers was returned for his final junior eligible season with the Greyhounds on October 24, 2016.

On December 16, 2019, Speers was traded to the Arizona Coyotes as a part of a trade that sent Taylor Hall to the Devils.[5] After recording 4 goals and 9 points in 32 games with their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners, in addition to one assist in 10 AHL games before the trade, Speers signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Coyotes in August 2020.[6]

As a free agent from the Coyotes following the 2021–22 season, Speers left North America to pursue a European career in agreeing to a one-year deal with Swedish second tier club, Västerås IK of the HockeyAllsvenskan, on August 1, 2022.[7]

In February 2024, Speers signed with Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) side Belfast Giants for the remainder of the season.[8]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2013–14 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL 62 19 21 40 12 9 0 3 3 0
2014–15 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL 57 24 43 67 12 14 3 6 9 4
2015–16 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL 68 26 48 74 42 12 6 4 10 8
2016–17 New Jersey Devils NHL 3 0 0 0 0
2016–17 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL 30 15 19 34 16 11 1 7 8 12
2016–17 Albany Devils AHL 2 0 0 0 2
2017–18 Binghamton Devils AHL 62 12 7 19 26
2018–19 Binghamton Devils AHL 43 3 5 8 24
2019–20 Binghamton Devils AHL 10 0 1 1 4
2019–20 Tucson Roadrunners AHL 32 4 5 9 20
2020–21 Tucson Roadrunners AHL 4 0 0 0 2
2021–22 Tucson Roadrunners AHL 52 2 3 5 23
2021–22 Arizona Coyotes NHL 2 0 0 0 2
2022–23 Västerås IK Allsv. 38 4 10 14 19 7 0 2 2 6
2023–24 Belfast Giants EIHL 15 4 7 11 6 4 2 0 2 0
NHL totals 5 0 0 0 2

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2014 Canada Ontario U17 5th 5 1 3 4 6
2017 Canada WJC   7 1 2 3 2
Junior totals 12 2 5 7 8

References

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  1. ^ "Devils select Blake Speers in third round". NHL.com. June 27, 2015. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
  2. ^ "Devils sign prospects Blake Speers, Colton White". NHL.com. September 21, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
  3. ^ "Devils announce 2016-17 Opening Night roster". NHL.com. October 14, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
  4. ^ "Devils Post-Game 10/13/16". njdevilspr.com. October 14, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  5. ^ "Coyotes Acquire Hall From New Jersey". NHL.com. December 16, 2019. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  6. ^ "Coyotes Sign Blake Speers To One-Year Contract". Tucson Roadrunners. August 23, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  7. ^ "NHL experienced center Blake Speers joins Västerås IK" (in Swedish). Västerås IK. August 1, 2022. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  8. ^ "Giants announce signing of former NHL forward Blake Speers". www.belfastgiants.com. February 1, 2024.
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