Forward Malcolm Spence was three years old, playing mini-stick hockey with his parents in his living room in Mississauga, Ontario when he saw Sidney Crosby win Canada a gold medal in the 2010 Olympics.

"I watched him score the golden goal, and redid the goal in my own way with the mini stick," Spence recalled to me at the NHL's scouting combine last week in Buffalo, N.Y. "His was just a little better."

From then on, Spence was hooked. He was a Crosby fan, eventually becoming a huge Penguins fan, too. He was able to meet his idol last season when his Erie Otters practiced at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry, Pa., something he said was a "really special moment."

Fifteen years after that golden goal made Spence a Penguins fan, he found himself in a room in Buffalo, sitting opposite the Penguins' brass, making his case why he would make for a good pick for the Penguins at No. 11 overall in the draft later this month.

Spence, 18, describes himself as a "fast, physical player that has a high compete level and will do whatever it takes to win." He prides himself in his ability to play in all situations, being able to contribute offensively while being responsible defensively. He'd like to model his game after that of Carter Verhaeghe, for his ability to play anywhere throughout a lineup while bringing speed, physicality and offense.

Spence has pro-ready size, already at 6-foot-2 and 201 pounds. His biggest focus right now is just improving his consistency in his physical game, making sure he's finishing his checks on the forecheck and "being a little more grittier" and taking full advantage of that size.

The Elite Prospects Draft Guide describes Spence as "a highly disruptive winger with intelligence, high-end details, and pro-style habits that will translate easily to the NHL, but lacks a dynamic element. ... When Spence is at his best with his motor at full throttle, he can take over games, connecting with teammates in the offensive zone, roaming the high slot, getting open at the right moment to unleash his one-timer, and relaying his passes to the slot after eluding defenders on the wall."

Last season was Spence's third year in the OHL, and he's increased his offensive contributions each year. After scoring 19 goals and 43 assists in 61 games in 2023-24, he scored 32 goals and 41 assists in 65 games this past season.

Spence won't be going back to Erie next season. He'll be taking advantage of the rule change that has Canadian major junior players now eligible to play in the NCAA, and taking his talents to the University of Michigan.

Spence explained his decision to move to college as one that will have him more NHL-ready. He was drawn to the heavy, physical side of the college game, a fit the thinks "made more sense" for his style and his future.

I asked Spence what drew him to Michigan specifically, and he cited the stat that Michigan leads the NCAA in players currently in the NHL. There were 31 Michigan alumni in the league last season, six more than the next best team.

"For me, to be the best, you've got to be with the best and train with the best," he said. "They have some really good players going in. And I'm pretty pumped to be a part of that culture."

Projected rankings vary on Spence. Some rankings have him going higher than the Penguins' pick (10th overall, FloHockey), and some have him dropping later in the first round (16th overall, Bob McKenzie; 21st overall, EliteProspects).

Spence projects as an eventual middle-six forward in the NHL, and his size and strength could have him ready a successful transition to the AHL quicker than other prospects available in this range, which could be appealing for a team like the Penguins trying to accelerate a rebuild. He may not have the potential upside as some other players available in the Penguins' range, but he could make it to them sooner, and be more of a safe pick.