View source for Jason Spezza

{{Short description|Canadian ice hockey player (born 1983)}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=October 2015}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2012}}
{{Infobox ice hockey player
| name = Jason Spezza
| image = JasonSpezza.jpg
| image_size = 230px
| caption = Spezza with the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] in January 2020
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|6|13}}
| birth_place = [[Mississauga]], Ontario, Canada
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lb = 214
| position = [[Centre (ice hockey)|Centre]]
| shoots = Right
| played_for = [[Ottawa Senators]]<br>[[SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers|Rapperswil-Jona Lakers]]<br>[[Dallas Stars]]<br>[[Toronto Maple Leafs]]
| ntl_team = Canada
| draft = 2nd overall
| draft_year = 2001
| draft_team = [[Ottawa Senators]]
| career_start = 2002
| career_end = 2022
}}
'''Jason Rocco Anthony Spezza''' (born June 13, 1983) is a Canadian former professional [[ice hockey]] [[Centre (ice hockey)|centre]] and current assistant general manager of the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] of the [[National Hockey League]]. Spezza played 19 career seasons in the NHL from 2002 to 2022.

After beginning his [[junior hockey#Major junior|major junior]] career at the early age of 15 in the [[Ontario Hockey League]] (OHL), Spezza was selected second overall in the [[2001 NHL Entry Draft]] by the [[Ottawa Senators]], eventually serving as their team captain following the departure of [[Daniel Alfredsson]]. Playing in the [[American Hockey League]] (AHL) in [[2004–05 AHL season|2004–05]] due to the [[2004–05 NHL lockout|NHL lockout]], he won the [[Les Cunningham Award]] as league MVP with the [[Binghamton Senators]]. In [[2005–06 NHL season|2005–06]], Spezza set an Ottawa Senators franchise record with 71 assists, while hitting the 90-point mark for the first of two times in his NHL career. He later played for the [[Dallas Stars]] and [[Toronto Maple Leafs]]. Following his retirement, he spent a year in the Maple Leafs' front office, before taking his current role with the Penguins.

Internationally, Spezza represented [[Canada national men's ice hockey team|Canada]] at three [[World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|World Junior Championships]] and two [[World Ice Hockey Championships|World Championships]]. When he made his World Junior debut in [[2000 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2000]], he became the third 16-year-old in history to make the team, after [[Wayne Gretzky]] and [[Eric Lindros]].

==Early life==
Spezza was born on June 13, 1983, in [[Mississauga]], [[Ontario]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Robb |first1=Peter |title=Jason Spezza: A timeline |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/sports/hockey/jason-spezza-a-timeline/ |access-date=April 3, 2020 |publisher=Ottawa Citizen |date=June 26, 2014}}</ref> He was born to [[Italian people|Italian]] parents Rino and Donna Spezza along with twin siblings Michelle and Matthew. Growing up in the [[Toronto]] area, he watched the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]], but has cited [[Mario Lemieux]] as his favourite player as a child.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ottawa's Jason Spezza:A Spezzial Senator |publisher=National Hockey League |url=http://www.nhl.com/kids/youngstar/spezza.html |date=December 24, 2003 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060430012556/http://www.nhl.com/kids/youngstar/spezza.html |archive-date=April 30, 2006 }}</ref> Spezza attended [[St. Michael's College School]].

At age one, Spezza won a baby contest and began his youth [[Model (person)|modelling]] career. The victory resulted in Spezza becoming the poster boy for ''[[Baby (musical)|Baby]]'', a [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] musical that played at Toronto's [[O'Keefe Centre]] in the summer of 1984. At age five, Spezza was chosen for a [[Minute Maid]] commercial. Two years later, he modelled clothing for stores [[Woolco]] and [[Kmart (United States)|Kmart]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Jason Spezza: From Sens' cute baby to whipping boy to hero |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/jason-spezza-from-sens-cute-baby-to-whipping-boy-to-hero/article547091/ |access-date=April 3, 2020 |publisher=Globe and Mail |date=February 17, 2012}}</ref>

==Playing career==
===Junior===
Spezza played for the [[Toronto Marlboros]] in 1997, recording 114 points in 54 games.<ref>{{cite news|title=Getting to know Jason Spezza|date=January 1, 2006|newspaper=Fairbanks Daily News Miner|location=Alaska|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-jan-01-2006-1626345/}}{{free access}}</ref> At age 15, Spezza began his [[junior hockey#Major junior|major junior]] career in the [[Ontario Hockey League]] (OHL) with the [[Brampton Battalion]] in [[1998–99 OHL season|1998–99]], under a rule permitting the then-underage player to play on his hometown team. He scored at more than a point-per-game pace as an underaged player with 71 points in 67 games.<ref>{{cite news|title=Spezza Clearly Special: could he be the next One?|last1=Turner|first1=Randy|date=December 15, 1999|newspaper=Winnipeg Free Press|location=Manitoba|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-dec-15-1999-1626332/}}{{free access}}</ref> He subsequently became the youngest player ever to participate in an OHL All-Star game at age 15.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Next One?|date=December 5, 1999|newspaper=Nashua Telegraph|location=New Hampshire|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-dec-05-1999-1626321/}}{{free access}}</ref> After one season with the Battalion, he was required to enter the OHL Priority Draft and was selected by the [[Mississauga IceDogs]] in the team's second season in [[1999–2000 OHL season|1999–2000]]. He recorded 61 points in 52 games that season before requesting a trade and subsequently being dealt 15 games into the [[2000–01 OHL season|2000–01 season]] to the [[Windsor Spitfires]].<ref>{{cite news|title='Dogs Deal Spezza|last1=Spencer|first1=Donna|date=November 16, 2000|newspaper=Medicine Hat News|location=Alberta|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-nov-16-2000-1626327/}}{{free access}}</ref> Spezza went on to record an OHL career-high 116 points in 66 games that season.

Entering the [[2001 NHL Entry Draft]] having been named the Top CHL Prospect,<ref>{{cite web |title=Spezza headlines CHL Top Prospects game |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/spezza-headlines-chl-top-prospects-game-1.283812 |website=cbc.ca |access-date=April 3, 2020 |date=January 18, 2001}}</ref> Spezza was drafted second overall by the [[Ottawa Senators]], after [[Ilya Kovalchuk]] was selected by the [[Atlanta Thrashers]]. The second overall pick originally belonged to the [[New York Islanders]] but was traded to Ottawa (along with [[Zdeno Chára]] and [[Bill Muckalt]]) in exchange for [[Alexei Yashin]] on the day of the Draft.<ref>{{cite news|title=Yashin Trade First in Busy Draft Day|last1=Long|first1=Mark|date=June 24, 2001|newspaper=Doylestown Intelligencer|location=Pennsylvania, Doylestown|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-jun-24-2001-1626340/}}{{free access}}</ref> During the summer of 2001, Spezza passed on an invitation to the Canadian junior team's summer camp because he said he wanted to prepare for his first NHL camp.<ref name="first_contract">{{cite web |title=Sens sign Spezza to multiyear deal |url=http://www.oocities.org/colosseum/2654/sept6.html |website=oocities.org |access-date=April 3, 2020 |date=September 6, 2001}}</ref>

After one more OHL season split between the Spitfires and the [[Belleville Bulls]], resulting in a 105-point season, Spezza began his professional career in the [[American Hockey League]] (AHL). He signed his first professional contract with the Senators, a multi-year deal, on September 5, 2001.<ref name="first_contract" />

===Professional===
====Ottawa Senators (2002–2014)====
[[File:Jason Spezza (25671374597).jpg|left|upright|thumb|Spezza at the 2003 [[American Hockey League|AHL]] All-Star Game. Spezza spent most of the 2002–03 season in the AHL.]]
Following Spezza's fourth OHL season in [[2001–02 OHL season|2001–02]], he was assigned to the Senators' AHL affiliate the [[Grand Rapids Griffins]] for the 2002 [[Calder Cup]] playoffs, where he made his professional debut, playing in three playoff games and scoring one goal. He made his NHL debut the next season in [[2002–03 NHL season|2002–03]] with Ottawa, playing in 33 games and recording 21 points, and scored his first NHL goal on October 29, 2002, in a 2–1 loss against the [[Philadelphia Flyers]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Flyers|date=October 30, 2002|newspaper=Doylestown Intelligencer|location= Pennsylvania, Doylestown|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-oct-30-2002-1626363/}}{{free access}}</ref> However, he played the majority of the season in the AHL with Ottawa's new affiliate, the [[Binghamton Senators]], and was called-up regularly to replace injured Ottawa players. He also competed in three [[Stanley Cup playoffs|Stanley Cup playoff]] games with Ottawa during his rookie season, helping the team in its [[2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs|2003 playoff run]] to the Eastern Conference Finals. In his playoff debut on May 21, 2003, Spezza assisted on the game-winning goal in Game 3.<ref>{{cite news|title=Answering the call|date=May 21, 2003|newspaper=Alton Telegraph|location= Illinois, Alton|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-may-21-2003-1626354/}}{{free access}}</ref> The Senators came within one game of the [[2003 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]], losing to the eventual [[Stanley Cup]] champion [[New Jersey Devils]].

Spezza played his first full NHL season with the Senators in [[2003–04 NHL season|2003–04]] and scored 22 goals and 55 points in 78 games. However, due to the subsequent [[2004–05 NHL lockout|NHL lockout]], Spezza returned to the AHL in [[2004–05 AHL season|2004–05]]. Scoring 117 points with Binghamton, he outscored [[Michael Cammalleri]] of the [[Manchester Monarchs (AHL)|Manchester Monarchs]] by eight points to capture the [[John B. Sollenberger Trophy]] as the league's leading scorer.<ref>{{cite web |title=16 teams, 4 rounds, 1 champion |url=https://theahl.com/2005/04/page/5 |website=theahl.com |access-date=April 3, 2020 |date=April 19, 2005}}</ref> Spezza was also awarded the [[Les Cunningham Award]] as league MVP.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jason Spezza AHL's MVP|date=April 16, 2005|newspaper=Medicine Hat News|location=Alberta|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-apr-16-2005-1626374/}}{{free access}}</ref>

With NHL play set to resume in [[2005–06 NHL season|2005–06]], Spezza returned to Ottawa. Having traded centres [[Radek Bonk]] and [[Todd White (ice hockey)|Todd White]] during the off-season, the Senators started Spezza on the first line between [[Dany Heatley]] and rookie [[Brandon Bochenski]], who was Spezza's linemate in Binghamton. [[Captain (ice hockey)|Captain]] [[Daniel Alfredsson]] quickly replaced Bochenski on the top line (Bochenski was soon thereafter traded) and the new trio become nicknamed the "CASH" line and "Pizza" line.<ref name="cash_herald">{{Cite news |work=Calgary Herald |date=December 5, 2005 |last=Lefebvre |first=Jean |pages=F5 |title=What's my line?: Naming Sens trio as hard as stopping 'em}}</ref> Wingers Alfredsson and Heatley both finished tied for fourth in league scoring with 103 points, while Spezza tallied 90 points despite an injury-shortened 68-game season. His 71 assists established a team single-season record and was second in the league behind [[Joe Thornton]] of the [[San Jose Sharks]] (96 assists). In the [[2006 Stanley Cup playoffs|2006 playoffs]], the Senators defeated the defending Stanley Cup champion and eighth-seeded [[Tampa Bay Lightning]] in the first round in five games, but fell to the fourth-seeded [[Buffalo Sabres]] in five games. Spezza added 14 points in all 10 playoff games.

During the summer of 2006, Spezza underwent successful back surgery. The following season, he continued on the same pace with Heatley and Alfredsson before suffering another injury. He managed a career-high 34 goals along with 53 assists for 87 points in 67 games as the Senators as a team finished fourth in the East. On May 19, 2007, he scored a goal and an assist as the Senators defeated the Buffalo Sabres in the Eastern Conference Final four games to one. Ottawa moved to the [[2007 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]] against the [[Anaheim Ducks]], but lost to the second-seeded Ducks in five games in large part because the Spezza–Heatley–Alfredsson line failed to perform against [[Samuel Påhlsson]]'s checking line, backed by star defencemen [[Scott Niedermayer]] and [[Chris Pronger]]. Spezza finished the [[2007 Stanley Cup playoffs|2007 playoffs]] with a franchise-record 22 points (seven goals and 15 assists), tied with linemates Alfredsson and Heatley.
[[File:Jason Spezza.jpg|thumb|upright|Spezza with the [[Ottawa Senators]] in October 2007.]]
Beginning the [[2007–08 NHL season|2007–08 season]] in the final year of his contract, on November 2, 2007, Spezza signed a new seven-year, $49&nbsp;million contract with the Senators effective from the 2008–09 season through to the 2014–15 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=221972&hubname=|title=Spezza resigns with Ottawa|publisher=TSN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228021745/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=221972&hubname=|archive-date=December 28, 2007|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Late that season, on February 9, 2008, Spezza scored his first NHL [[hat-trick]] during a 6–1 Senators victory over the [[Montreal Canadiens]]. Spezza contributed to all of his team's goals for a career-high six-point game.<ref>{{cite web |title=Montreal Canadiens at Ottawa Senators Box Score — February 9, 2008 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/200802090OTT.html |website=Hockey Reference |access-date=17 June 2021}}</ref> He finished the season tying his career-high in goals with 34 and establishing a new personal mark for points with 92 as the Senators finished seventh in the East. However, the Senators failed to advance past the first round following their Stanley Cup Final run the previous season, falling to the second-seeded [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] in a four game sweep.

The [[2008–09 NHL season|2008–09 season]] was a disappointing one for both Spezza and the Senators. Though he managed to remain injury-free and played in all of his team's 82 games for the first time in his NHL career, his point production decreased. Spezza managed 73 points in 82 games, and while still respectable, the numbers were his lowest totals since his first full NHL season in [[2003–04 NHL season|2003–04]]. The team struggled all season long and would miss the playoffs for the first time since [[1995–96 NHL season|1995–96]], missing by 10 points.

Despite missing 22 games due to injury in the [[2009–10 NHL season|2009–10 season]], Spezza still managed to score 23 goals and pick-up 34 assists for 57 points in 60 games to finish second on the team in scoring as the Senators finished as the fifth seed in the East. In the first round of the [[2010 Stanley Cup playoffs|2010 playoffs]], the Senators lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins four games to two. Spezza finished with one goal and six assists for seven points in the six games. He also led the team in shots on goal with 24.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/OTT/2010.html |title=2009–10 Ottawa Senators Roster and Statistics |publisher=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=October 23, 2011}}</ref> However, Spezza's poor defensive play and costly turnovers in that series resulted in him being booed by fans at [[Scotiabank Place]], and the following off-season was rife with speculation that he would be traded.<ref>{{cite news|work=Ottawa Citizen |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/Spezza+trade+talk+could+signal+change+guard/3108841/story.html |title=Spezza trade talk could signal change of guard |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100609193157/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/spezza%2Btrade%2Btalk%2Bcould%2Bsignal%2Bchange%2Bguard/3108841/story.html |archive-date=June 9, 2010 }}</ref> Spezza himself admitted that he would not object to a trade from Ottawa.<ref>{{cite news |first=Bruce |last=Garrioch |work=Ottawa Sun |url=http://www.ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/2010/06/26/14523726.html |title=Spezza trade doubtful |date=June 26, 2010 |access-date=October 23, 2011 |archive-date=March 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320101006/http://www.ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/2010/06/26/14523726.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Ultimately, no trade occurred.

On December 26, 2010, in a 3–1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, Spezza was checked from behind into the boards by Penguins defenceman [[Kris Letang]]. Letang received a two-minute penalty for boarding and Spezza was expected to miss four-to-six weeks due to a consequent shoulder injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thehockeywriters.com/jason-spezza-out-at-least-4-to-6-weeks-with-shoulder-injury/ |title=Jason Spezza Out at Least 4 to 6 Weeks with Shoulder Injury |publisher=Thehockeywriters.com |date=December 27, 2010 |access-date=October 23, 2011}}</ref> At the end of the [[2010–11 NHL season|2010–11 season]], Spezza was named an interim alternate captain for Ottawa after the team traded away [[Mike Fisher (ice hockey)|Mike Fisher]]. 

In [[2011–12 NHL season|2011–12]], Spezza was named as a permanent alternate captain for the Senators. He remained injury-free and finished fourth in [[Art Ross Trophy|league scoring]] with 84 points (34 goals and 50 assists) only behind the 93 points from [[Philadelphia Flyers]] forward [[Claude Giroux]], 97 points by Tampa Bay Lightning forward [[Steven Stamkos]] and the league-leading 109 points by Pittsburgh Penguins forward [[Evgeni Malkin]], respectively. He also earned consideration for the [[Hart Memorial Trophy]] as the regular season's most valuable player.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://vancouversun.com/sports/Senators+Jason+Spezza+merits+Hart+Trophy+consideration/6432606/story.html | title = Senators' Jason Spezza merits Hart Trophy consideration | newspaper = [[The Vancouver Sun]] | date = 2012-04-01 | access-date = 2012-04-01 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120411153312/http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Senators+Jason+Spezza+merits+Hart+Trophy+consideration/6432606/story.html | archive-date = April 11, 2012 | df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url = http://www.ottawasun.com/2012/03/31/york-spezza-having-mvp-season | title = Spezza having MVP season | newspaper = [[Ottawa Sun]] | date = 2012-03-31 | access-date = 2012-03-31}}</ref> Spezza was ultimately not a finalist for the award, finishing sixth in voting.<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/frequentflyers/Giroux-finishes-4th-for-Hart.html?viewFirst=y&&jCount=2& | title = Giroux finishes 4th for Hart | website = Philadelphia Daily News | date = 2012-05-28 | access-date = 2012-05-29}}</ref>
[[File:Jason Spezza – Rapperswil-Jona Lakers-Kloten Flyers – 22.12.2012.jpg|thumb|left|Spezza in December 2012. He played with the [[Rapperswil-Jona Lakers]] of the Swiss [[National League A|NLA]] during the [[2012–13 NHL lockout]].]]
Spezza spent time with [[Rapperswil-Jona Lakers]] of the Swiss [[National League (ice hockey)|National League A]] during the [[2012–13 NHL lockout]] and returned to the Senators once a resolution had been negotiated. He registered two goals and three assists in five games before a back injury sidelined him. The Senators announced on January 31, 2013, that Spezza would be out of the Ottawa line-up for a minimum of two months (and possibly longer) as he required surgery for a herniated disc in his back. The injury occurred in a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 27.<ref>{{cite web | title = Sens' Spezza to have back surgery, out minimum two months | url = https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=414888 | publisher = [[The Sports Network]] | date = 2013-01-31 | access-date = 2013-01-31 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140416174456/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=414888 | archive-date = April 16, 2014 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }}</ref> Spezza ultimately missed the remainder of the regular season and the first round of the [[2013 Stanley Cup playoffs|2013 playoffs]]. He returned to action on May 19, 2013, for the third game of Ottawa's [[2013 Stanley Cup playoffs#Eastern Conference Semifinals|Eastern Conference Semi-final]] series against Pittsburgh.<ref>{{cite web | title = Spezza back as Senators set to take on Penguins in game 3 | url = https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=423539 | publisher = [[The Sports Network]] | date = 2013-05-19 | access-date = 2013-05-20 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140416191917/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=423539 | archive-date = April 16, 2014 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }}</ref>

On September 14, 2013, Spezza was named the eighth captain in Senators' franchise history, replacing long-time teammate Daniel Alfredsson, who joined the [[Detroit Red Wings]] as a free agent on July 5, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jason Spezza named captain of Ottawa Senators |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/jason-spezza-named-captain-of-ottawa-senators/c-682548 |website=nhl.com |access-date=April 3, 2020}}</ref>

After the conclusion of his first season as the Senators captain in [[2013–14 NHL season|2013–14]], it was revealed by Senators general manager [[Bryan Murray (ice hockey)|Bryan Murray]] that Spezza had requested a trade from the Senators.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/puck-daddy/jason-spezza-requests-trade-from-ottawa-senators-211808948.html | title = Jason Spezza requests trade from Ottawa Senators | work = [[Yahoo! Sports]] | date = 2014-06-11 | access-date = 2014-06-11}}</ref> At the [[2014 NHL Entry Draft]], a potential trade to the [[Nashville Predators]] was negotiated by Murray but rejected by Spezza as the Predators were one of the teams listed in his limited contractual no-trade clause.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://ottawacitizen.com/sports/hockey/nhl/senators-extra/calling-spezza-nashville-wants-a-first-line-centre | title = Spezza says no to Nashville | newspaper = [[Ottawa Citizen]] | date = 2014-07-28 | access-date = 2014-07-28}}</ref>

====Dallas Stars (2014–2019)====
[[File:Jason Spezza - Dallas Stars.jpg|thumb|upright|Spezza with the [[Dallas Stars]] in October 2014]]
On July 1, 2014, Spezza was traded to the [[Dallas Stars]] (along with [[Ludwig Karlsson]]) in exchange for [[Alex Chiasson]], Alex Guptill, [[Nick Paul]] and a second-round pick in the [[2015 NHL Entry Draft]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/senators-trade-jason-spezza-to-stars/article19402336/ | title = Senators trade Jason Spezza to Stars | work = [[The Globe and Mail]] | date = 2014-07-01 | access-date = 2014-07-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=725576 | title = Spezza 'just a piece' to Stars' championship puzzle | publisher = National Hockey League | date = 2014-07-07 |access-date= 2014-07-07}}</ref> On November 21, Spezza signed a four-year contract with Dallas (effective from the 2015–16 season through to the [[2018–19 NHL season|2018–19 season]]) worth an annual average value of $7.5&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/stars-c-spezza-agree-on-four-year-30-million-extension-1.140831|title = Stars, C Spezza agree on four-year, $30 million extension - TSN.ca|date = November 21, 2014}}</ref> He recorded 17 goals, 45 assists and 62 points in all 82 games in his [[2014–15 NHL season|first season]] with the Stars, as they missed the [[2015 Stanley Cup playoffs|2015 playoffs]] by seven points.

His offensive production improved [[2015–16 NHL season|the following season]], scoring 33 goals, 30 assist and 63 points in 75 games as the Stars qualified for the [[2016 Stanley Cup playoffs|2016 playoffs]] as the top seed in the [[Western Conference (NHL)|Western Conference]]. Spezza and the Stars would defeat the [[Minnesota Wild]] in six games in round 1 and then lose to the [[St. Louis Blues]] in seven games in the second round.

Spezza recorded 15 goals, 35 assists and 50 points in 68 games during the [[2016-17 NHL season|2016–17 season]] as the Stats as a team would struggle with injuries to players across the roster and miss the playoffs by 15 points.

In [[2017-18 NHL season|2017–18]], Speeza played 78 games with eight goals and 18 assists and the Stars improved drastically as a team, missing the playoffs by just three points.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://lastwordonsports.com/hockey/2018/04/09/dallas-stars-2017-18-season-review/ |title= Dallas Stars 2017-18 Season Review |website=lastwordonsports.com |publisher=LWOS |author=Noah Cirisoli |date=April 9, 2018 |access-date=July 28, 2023}}</ref>

On October 30, 2018, in a 4–1 win over the [[Montreal Canadiens]], Spezza played in his [[List of NHL players with 1,000 games played|1,000th career NHL game]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=DeFranks |first1=Matthew |title=Why it's fitting that Stars' Jason Spezza reached the 1,000-game milestone in Montreal |url=https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-stars/stars/2018/10/30/fitting-stars-jason-spezza-reached-the1000-game-milestone-montreal |website=The Dallas Morning News |access-date=October 30, 2018}}</ref> He finished the [[2018-19 NHL season|2018–19 season]] with eight goals, 18 assists and 27 points in 76 games and the Stars got back into a playoff spot for the first time in three years. In the [[2019 Stanley Cup playoffs |2019 playoffs]] he played 11 games with three goals and two assists for five points with Spezza upsetting the [[Nashville Predators]] in the first round in six games before getting defeated by the St. Louis Blues in the second round in seven games like 2016.

====Toronto Maple Leafs (2019–2022)====
On July 1, 2019, as a free agent, Spezza signed a one-year, $700,000 contract for the [[2019–20 NHL season|2019–20 season]] with the Toronto Maple Leafs,<ref>{{cite web| url =https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/maple-leafs-sign-jason-spezza/c-308143410 | title = Maple Leafs sign Free Agent center Jason Spezza | website = [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] | date = July 1, 2019 | access-date = July 1, 2019}}</ref> the team he supported as a child.<ref>{{cite web | title = Spezza signs one-year contract with Maple Leafs | url = https://www.nhl.com/news/jason-spezza-signs-one-year-contract-toronto-maple-leafs/c-308098262 | publisher = National Hockey League | date = July 1, 2019 | access-date = July 9, 2019}}</ref> On signing, Spezza said, "Just to have a chance to put on a Leaf jersey is going to be pretty special for me."<ref>{{cite web | title = Spezza welcomes shot at childhood dream with Leafs | url = https://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/2019/07/01/spezza-welcomes-shot-at-childhood-dream-with-leafs.html | author = Kevin McGran, ''[[Toronto Star]]'' | website = [[Toronto Star]] | date = July 1, 2019 | access-date = July 9, 2019}}</ref> However, Spezza was scratched for Toronto's opening night game against his former team, the [[Ottawa Senators]], in a highly criticized move by Toronto's head coach [[Mike Babcock]]. Spezza made his debut with the Maple Leafs in the following game on October 5, against the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/maple-leafs-jason-spezza-working-way-back-babcocks-good-graces/|title=Maple Leafs' Jason Spezza working way back into Babcock's good graces|date=October 5, 2019|access-date=January 16, 2020|last=Johnston|first=Chris|work=Sportsnet|publisher=Rogers Digital Media}}</ref>

On October 5, 2020, Spezza signed a one-year, $700,000 extension with the Maple Leafs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/jason-spezza-maple-leafs-contract-extension/c-319298272|title = Maple Leafs Sign Spezza to Contract Extension| date=October 5, 2020 }}</ref>

On January 17, 2021, the Maple Leafs placed Spezza on waivers after 3 games for salary cap reasons. Spezza's agent indicated that Spezza would retire if claimed by another team. Ultimately, he went unclaimed and cleared waivers to remain with the Maple Leafs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2021/1/18/22237023/spezza-clears-dell-does-not-new-jersey-roster-maple-leafs-goalie-shuffle|title=Spezza clears, Dell does not|date=January 18, 2021|access-date=February 4, 2021|last=|first=|work=Pension Plan Puppets|publisher=[[SB Nation]]}}</ref> Two and a half weeks later, Spezza would go on to record his eighth and final career hat trick in a 7–3 victory over the [[Vancouver Canucks]] on February 4.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/jason-spezza-records-eighth-career-hat-trick-canucks/|title = Jason Spezza records eighth career hat trick against Canucks - Sportsnet.ca}}</ref>

On June 16, 2021, Spezza re-signed with the Maple Leafs to a one-year contract extension worth league minimum again, $750,000. Spezza's deal was seen as another hometown discount for the salary cap strapped club, stating "if I could take less, I would" to help the team win.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/2021/06/16/leafs-re-sign-centre-jason-spezza-to-a-one-year-750000-contract.html|title='If I could take less, I would.' Jason Spezza takes one for the team in return to Leafs|date=June 16, 2021|access-date=December 17, 2021|last=Zwolinski|first=Mark|work=[[Toronto Star]]|publisher=[[TorStar]]}}</ref> Spezza continued his strong play in a depth role before being suspended six games on December 8 for a hit to the head of [[Winnipeg Jets]] defender [[Neal Pionk]] that occurred three days prior after Pionk injured teammate [[Rasmus Sandin]] with a knee-on-knee hit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2245829|title=Leafs' Spezza suspended 6 games for kneeing Jets' Pionk in head|date=December 8, 2021|access-date=December 17, 2021|last=Wegman|first=Josh|work=[[TheScore]]|publisher=[[Score Media and Gaming]]}}</ref> Spezza, who had a reputation as a clean player that had never been suspended or fined once in his 19 seasons in the NHL appealed the decision, with NHL commissioner [[Gary Bettman]] reducing the suspension to four games on December 17.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/gary-bettman-jason-spezza-suspension-1.1736194|title=Bettman reduces length of Spezza's suspension to four games|date=December 17, 2021|access-date=December 17, 2021|website=[[The Sports Network]] (TSN)|publisher=[[Bell Media]]}}</ref>
Following the Leafs' elimination in the first round of the [[2022 Stanley Cup playoffs]] by the [[Tampa Bay Lightning]], Spezza announced his retirement after 19 seasons in the NHL. Spezza retired with 995 career NHL points, the most of any player who never hit 1,000. The Maple Leafs offered him a new position as special assistant to general manager [[Kyle Dubas]], which Spezza accepted, saying he was "very grateful to the Leafs for the amazing opportunity to transition into this new role. It enables me to continue to follow my passion; learn and live new experiences within the game I love."<ref name=retirement>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/jason-spezza-announces-retirement-after-19-seasons-joins-maple-leafs-front-office/|title=Jason Spezza announces retirement after 19 seasons, joins Maple Leafs' front office|date=May 29, 2022|access-date=May 29, 2022|website=[[Sportsnet]]}}</ref> Spezza's loyalty to his hometown Maple Leafs factored into his decision, stating that he believed that it was best for the on-ice product for him to retire and open opportunity for young offensive players.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/video/jason-spezza--media-availability/t-277437436/c-11842555|title=Jason Spezza Media Availability|date=May 29, 2022|access-date=May 29, 2022|website=[[National Hockey League]]}}</ref>

==International play==
{{MedalTableTop|Jason Spezza WC2008.jpg|150px|Spezza at the 2008 World Championships|name=no}}
{{MedalCountry|{{ih|CAN}}}}
{{MedalSport | [[Ice hockey]]}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[World Ice Hockey Championships|World Championships]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[2015 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships|2015 Czech Republic]]|}}
{{MedalSilver| [[2009 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships|2009 Switzerland]]|}}
{{MedalSilver| [[2008 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships|2008 Canada]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|World Junior Championships]]}}
{{MedalSilver| [[2002 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2002 Czech Republic]]|}}
{{MedalBronze| [[2001 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2001 Russia]]|}}
{{MedalBronze| [[2000 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2000 Sweden]]|}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[Spengler Cup]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2012 Spengler Cup|2012 Davos]]|}}
{{MedalBottom}}

As a [[junior hockey|junior]], Spezza represented [[Canada men's national junior ice hockey team|Canada's national junior team]] three consecutive years. He made his debut at the [[2000 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2000 World Junior Championships]], becoming just the third 16-year-old to make the team in Team Canada history, after [[Wayne Gretzky]] and [[Eric Lindros]] (this feat was also accomplished the same year by defenceman [[Jay Bouwmeester]] and [[Sidney Crosby]] in [[2004 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2004]]).<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Kennedy|first1=Kostya|title=Big Kids with a Big Future Two talented 16-year-olds, Jay Bouwmeester and Jason Spezza, represented Canada at the world juniors|url=https://www.si.com/vault/2000/01/10/272134/big-kids-with-a-big-future-two-talented-16-year-olds-jay-bouwmeester-and-jason-spezza-represented-canada-at-the-world-juniors|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=April 16, 2018|date=January 10, 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Wharnsby|first1=Tim|title=Age just a number for Crosby|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/age-just-a-number-for-crosby/article18436481/|access-date=April 16, 2018|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=November 20, 2003}}</ref> Spezza contributed 2 assists in 7 games as Canada captured a bronze medal. He returned in [[2001 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2001]] for a second consecutive bronze medal, while improving to three goals and three assists. Spezza made it to the gold medal game with Canada in his third and final World Junior appearance in [[2002 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2002]], but lost to [[Russia men's national junior ice hockey team|Russia]] to earn the silver.

As a member of the Senators, Spezza was made a reserve for [[Canada men's national ice hockey team|Canada]] at the [[Ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics – Men's tournament|2006 Winter Olympics]] in [[Turin]], but did not play. He would make his men's debut for Canada at the [[2008 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships|2008 World Championships]], being named to the team along with Senators linemate Dany Heatley. He earned a silver medal, losing to [[Russia men's national ice hockey team|Russia]] in the gold-medal game. With the Senators failing to make the NHL playoffs the following year, Spezza again represented Canada at the [[2009 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships|2009 World Championships]]. He won another silver medal, losing to Russia in the gold medal game for the second consecutive year. Spezza, along with Finland's [[Niko Kapanen]] and fellow Canadian [[Steven Stamkos]], finished the tournament tied for first in goals scored with seven.<ref>{{cite web |title=2009 World Championship: Goal Scoring Leaders |url=https://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/200/IHM200000_85C_15_0.pdf |work=[[International Ice Hockey Federation|IIHF]] |access-date=March 14, 2012 }}</ref>

Despite his success with the national team in the two previous World Championships, as well as being named a reserve for the 2006 Olympic team, Spezza was left off Canada's initial summer camp roster in preparation for the [[Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics – Men's tournament|2010 Winter Olympics]] in [[Vancouver]]. However, after veteran [[Joe Sakic]] announced his retirement and [[Ryan Getzlaf]] declared that he required more time to recover from injury, Spezza was invited to fill in one of the vacant spots.<ref>{{cite web |title=Spezza added to Team Canada camp |url=http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php/ci_id/4218/la_id/1.htm |access-date=August 12, 2009 |date=August 11, 2009 |publisher=[[Hockey Canada]]}}</ref>

As the 2012–13 NHL lockout continued, Spezza was named to Canada's roster for the [[2012 Spengler Cup]] held in [[Davos, Switzerland]]. Spezza joined fellow NHL stars [[John Tavares]], [[Tyler Seguin]], [[Patrice Bergeron]], [[Ryan Smyth]], and [[Matt Duchene]] in the Canadian line-up,<ref>{{cite news| title = Ottawa Senators centre Jason Spezza will play for Canada at Spengler Cup | url = http://www.ottawasun.com/2012/12/21/ottawa-senators-centre-jason-spezza-will-play-for-canada-at-spengler-cup | newspaper = [[Ottawa Sun]] | date = 2012-12-21 | access-date = 2012-12-21}}</ref> helping Canada defeat host team [[HC Davos]] to capture its first Spengler Cup title since 2007.<ref>{{cite web| title = Canada defeats HC Davos in Spengler Cup final | url =  https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/canada-defeats-hc-davos-in-spengler-cup-final-1.1228251 | publisher = [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] | date = 2012-12-31 | access-date = 2012-12-31}}</ref>

At the [[2015 IIHF World Championship|2015 World Championships]], where Canada won the gold medal for the first time since 2007 with a perfect 10–0 record, Spezza was named best forward and a member of the all-star team; he was the tournament's leading scorer.<ref>{{cite web|title=Canada's National Men's Team wins gold medal at 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship|url=http://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/canadas-national-mens-team-wins-gold-medal-at-2015-iihf-ice-hockey-world-championship|publisher=Hockey Canada|access-date=June 21, 2015|date=May 17, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Canada wins first hockey worlds gold since 2007|url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/hockey/story/_/id/12903940/canada-routs-defending-champ-russia-win-hockey-worlds|access-date=June 21, 2015|agency=Associated Press|publisher=ESPN|date=May 17, 2015}}</ref>

== Executive career ==
For the [[2022–23 Toronto Maple Leafs season]], Spezza was hired as special assistant to the general manager, [[Kyle Dubas]].<ref name=retirement/> Spezza resigned from his position with the Maple Leafs on May 19, 2023, following Leafs president [[Brendan Shanahan]]'s decision to remove Dubas as general manager.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/jason-spezza-resigns-as-maple-leafs-special-assistant-to-gm/|title=Jason Spezza resigns as Maple Leafs special assistant to GM|date=May 19, 2023|access-date=May 19, 2023|website=[[Sportsnet]]}}</ref>

Shortly afterward, Dubas was hired by the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] as president of hockey operations. On June 14, 2023, Spezza joined that organization as an assistant general manager.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/penguins-hire-spezza-as-assistant-gm-reunites-with-dubas-in-pittsburgh/|title=Penguins hire Spezza as assistant GM, reunites with Dubas in Pittsburgh|date=June 14, 2023|access-date=June 14, 2023|website=[[Sportsnet]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/pittsburgh-penguins-hire-jason-spezza-assistant-general-manager|title=Penguins Hire Jason Spezza as Assistant General Manager|last=Horwat|first=Nick|date=June 14, 2023|access-date=June 14, 2023|magazine=[[The Hockey News]]}}</ref>

==Off the ice==
===Community programs===
Spezza participates in numerous activities outside of hockey, especially the "Spelling with Spezza" program. Winners received a poster of Spezza and a pair of tickets to an Ottawa Senators' home game. The program recognizes the importance of spelling. Spezza visited selected classes registered for the program. In his last season with the Senators, over 600 classes in the [[National Capital Region (Canada)|Ottawa-Gatineau]] area participated in Spelling with Spezza.<ref>{{cite web
 |title=Sens @ School: Spelling with #19 Spezza 
 |url=http://www2.ottawasenators.com/eng/Kids/SpellingwithSpezza.cfm
 |website=Ottawa Senators 
}}{{dead link|date=April 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> He also contributes to [[Ronald McDonald House Charities]].<ref>{{cite web
 |title=This is Ottawa Senator Jason Spezza's Charity... 
 |url=http://www.rmhottawa.com/funevents/jason-spezza.pdf 
 |publisher=rmhottawa.com 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928194104/http://www.rmhottawa.com/funevents/jason-spezza.pdf 
 |archive-date=September 28, 2007 
}}</ref>

===Personal life===
Spezza wed his girlfriend, Jennifer Snell, in [[Ottawa]] on July 25, 2009. The ceremony took place at [[Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, Ottawa|Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica]] and the reception was held across the street at the [[National Gallery of Canada]]. Many of his then-current and past teammates were in attendance, including [[Ray Emery]], [[Antoine Vermette]], [[Brendan Bell (ice hockey)|Brendan Bell]], [[Chris Phillips]] and [[Chris Neil]], as well as Senators owner [[Eugene Melnyk]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/spezza-wedding-attracts-teammates-and-fans-but-no-heatley-1.420003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021054323/http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/spezza-wedding-attracts-teammates-and-fans-but-no-heatley-1.420003 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |title=Spezza wedding attracts teammates and fans&nbsp;– but no Heatley |publisher=Ottawa.ctv.ca |date=July 26, 2009 |access-date=October 23, 2011}}</ref>

The couple have four daughters.<ref>{{cite news |author=Ottawa Sun |url=http://www.ottawasun.com/news/ottawa/2010/06/11/14353001.html |title=It's a girl! |work=Ottawa Sun |date=June 11, 2010 |access-date=October 23, 2011 |archive-date=March 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306063748/http://www.ottawasun.com/news/ottawa/2010/06/11/14353001.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=New baby for Jason Spezza and wife Jennifer|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/sports/hockey/nhl/senators-extra/new-baby-for-jason-spezza-and-wife-jennifer|access-date=April 16, 2018|newspaper=Ottawa Citizen|date=April 1, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Jason Spezza and his wife welcome their fourth child to the world Tuesday afternoon|url=https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-stars/stars/2016/03/15/jason-spezza-wife-welcome-third-child-world-tuesday-afternoon|website=The Dallas Morning News|access-date=April 16, 2018|date=March 15, 2016}}</ref> Spezza and his family resided in the west-end of Ottawa during his tenure with the Senators, but sold the home when he was traded to Dallas.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Levinson King|first1=Robin|title=Jason Spezza is selling his $1.7M west-end mansion|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/life/homes/jason-spezza-is-selling-his-1-7m-west-end-mansion|access-date=April 16, 2018|newspaper=Ottawa Citizen|date=July 18, 2014}}</ref>

Spezza's younger brother Matthew was a [[goaltender]] who last played for the [[Flint Generals]] of the [[United Hockey League|International Hockey League]] (IHL). He died of an accidental drug overdose in 2024 at the age of 37.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/former-maple-leafs-player-speaks-out-after-brother-s-fatal-overdose-1.6756869 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240205223417/https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/former-maple-leafs-player-speaks-out-after-brother-s-fatal-overdose-1.6756869 | url-status = dead | archive-date = February 5, 2024 | title = Former Maple Leafs player shares statement after younger brother's death | newspaper = [[CTV News]] | date = 2024-02-05 | access-date = 2024-02-05}}</ref>

===Endorsements===
Spezza was on the cover of the ''[[NHL 2K8]]'' [[video game]] for the [[PlayStation 2]], [[PlayStation 3]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] and the [[Xbox 360]] video game consoles.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jason Spezza Named Cover Athlete for NHL® 2K8 |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/jason-spezza-named-cover-athlete-for-nhl-2k8 |website=gamesindustry.biz |access-date=April 3, 2020 |date=July 10, 2007}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Regular season and playoffs===
<small>'''Bold''' indicates led league</small>
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em"
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff"|
! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff"|
! colspan="5"|[[Regular season]]
! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff"|
! colspan="5"|[[Playoffs]]
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! [[Season (sports)|Season]]
! Team
! League
! GP !! [[Goal (ice hockey)|G]] !! [[Assist (ice hockey)|A]] !! [[Point (ice hockey)|Pts]] !! [[Penalty (ice hockey)|PIM]]
! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM 
|-
| [[1998–99 OHL season|1998–99]]
| [[Brampton Battalion]]
| [[Ontario Hockey League|OHL]]
| 67 || 22 || 49 || 71 || 18
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1999–00 OHL season|1999–00]]
| [[Mississauga IceDogs]]
| OHL
| 52 || 24 || 37 || 61 || 33
| — || — || — || — || —
|- 
| [[2000–01 OHL season|2000–01]]
| Mississauga IceDogs
| OHL
| 15 || 7 || 23 || 30 || 11
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2000–01
| [[Windsor Spitfires]]
| OHL
| 41 || 36 || 50 || 86 || 32
| 9 || 4 || 5 || 9 || 10
|- 
| [[2001–02 OHL season|2001–02]]
| Windsor Spitfires
| OHL
| 27 || 19 || 26 || 45 || 16
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2001–02
| [[Belleville Bulls]]
| OHL
| 26 || 23 || 37 || 60 || 26
| 11 || 5 || 6 || 11 || 18
|- 
| [[2001–02 AHL season|2001–02]]
| [[Grand Rapids Griffins]]
| [[American Hockey League|AHL]]
| — || — || — || — || —
| 3 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 2
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2002–03 AHL season|2002–03]]
| [[Binghamton Senators]]
| AHL
| 43 || 22 || 32 || 54 || 71
| 2 || 1 || 2 || 3 || 4
|-  
| [[2002–03 NHL season|2002–03]]
| [[Ottawa Senators]]
| [[National Hockey League|NHL]]
| 33 || 7 || 14 || 21 || 8
| 3 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 0
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2003–04 NHL season|2003–04]]
| Ottawa Senators
| NHL
| 78 || 22 || 33 || 55 || 71
| 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2
|-  
| [[2004–05 AHL season|2004–05]]
| Binghamton Senators
| AHL
| 80 || 32 || 85 || 117 || 50
| 6 || 1 || 3 || 4 || 6
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2005–06 NHL season|2005–06]]
| Ottawa Senators
| NHL
| 68 || 19 || 71 || 90 || 33
| 10 || 5 || 9 || 14 || 2
|-  
| [[2006–07 NHL season|2006–07]]
| Ottawa Senators
| NHL
| 67 || 34 || 53 || 87 || 45
| 20 || 7 || '''15''' || '''22''' || 10
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2007–08 NHL season|2007–08]]
| Ottawa Senators
| NHL
| 76 || 34 || 58 || 92 || 66
| 4 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0
|-  
| [[2008–09 NHL season|2008–09]]
| Ottawa Senators
| NHL
| 82 || 32 || 41 || 73 || 79
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2009–10 NHL season|2009–10]]
| Ottawa Senators
| NHL
| 60 || 23 || 34 || 57 || 20
| 6 || 1 || 6 || 7 || 4
|- 
| [[2010–11 NHL season|2010–11]]
| Ottawa Senators
| NHL
| 62 || 21 || 36 || 57 || 28
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2011–12 NHL season|2011–12]]
| Ottawa Senators
| NHL
| 80 || 34 || 50 || 84 || 36
| 7 || 3 || 2 || 5 || 8
|-  
| [[2012–13 NLA season|2012–13]]
| [[SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers|Rapperswil–Jona Lakers]]
| [[National League A|NLA]]
| 28 || 9 || 21 || 30 || 12
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2012–13 NHL season|2012–13]]
| Ottawa Senators
| NHL
| 5 || 2 || 3 || 5 || 2
| 3 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0
|-  
| [[2013–14 NHL season|2013–14]]
| Ottawa Senators
| NHL
| 75 || 23 || 43 || 66 || 46
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2014–15 NHL season|2014–15]]
| [[Dallas Stars]]
| NHL
| 82 || 17 || 45 || 62 || 28
| — || — || — || — || —
|-  
| [[2015–16 NHL season|2015–16]]
| Dallas Stars
| NHL
| 75 || 33 || 30 || 63 || 22
| 13 || 5 || 8 || 13 || 2
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2016–17 NHL season|2016–17]]
| Dallas Stars
| NHL
| 68 || 15 || 35 || 50 || 29
| — || — || — || — || —
|-  
| [[2017–18 NHL season|2017–18]]
| Dallas Stars
| NHL
| 78 || 8 || 18 || 26 || 12
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2018–19 NHL season|2018–19]]
| Dallas Stars
| NHL
| 76 || 8 || 19 || 27 || 29
| 11 || 3 || 2 || 5 || 0
|-  
| [[2019–20 NHL season|2019–20]]
| [[Toronto Maple Leafs]]
| NHL
| 58 || 9 || 16 || 25 || 18
| 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 9
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2020–21 NHL season|2020–21]]
| Toronto Maple Leafs
| NHL
| 54 || 10 || 20 || 30 || 6
| 7 || 3 || 2 || 5 || 4
|-
| [[2021–22 NHL season|2021–22]]
| Toronto Maple Leafs
| NHL
| 71 || 12 || 13 || 25 || 26
| 5 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 2
<!-- Do not add stats until the end of season -->
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" | NHL totals
! 1,248 !! 363 !! 632 !! 995 !! 604
! 97 !! 28 !! 48 !! 76 !! 43
|}

===International===
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em"
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Year
! Team
! Event
! rowspan="102" bgcolor="#ffffff"|
! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM
|-  
| [[2000 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2000]]
| [[Canada men's national junior ice hockey team|Canada]]
| [[IIHF World Junior Championship|WJC]]
| 7 || 0 || 2 || 2 || 2
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2001 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2001]]
| Canada
| WJC
| 7 || 3 || 3 || 6 || 2
|-  
| [[2002 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2002]]
| Canada
| WJC
| 7 || 0 || 4 || 4 || 8
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2008 IIHF World Championship|2008]]
| [[Canada national men's ice hockey team|Canada]]
| [[Ice Hockey World Championships|WC]]
| 9 || 1 || 2 || 3 || 0 
|-  
| [[2009 IIHF World Championship|2009]]
| Canada
| WC
| 9 || 7 || 4 || 11 || 2
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2011 IIHF World Championship|2011]]
| Canada
| WC
| 7 || 4 || 3 || 7 || 4
|-  
| [[2015 IIHF World Championship|2015]]
| Canada
| WC
| 10 || 6 || 8 || 14 || 2
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" | Junior totals
! 21 !! 3 !! 9 !! 12 !! 12
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" | Senior totals
! 35 !! 18 !! 17 !! 35 !! 8
|}

==Awards and honours==
{| class="wikitable"
! Award
! Year
! 
|-
! colspan="3"|[[Ontario Hockey League|OHL]]
|-
| First All-Rookie Team
| [[1998–99 OHL season|1999]]
| 
|-
| Third All-Star Team
| [[2000–01 OHL season|2001]], [[2001–02 OHL season|2002]]
|
|-
| [[CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game]]
| 2001
|
|-
| CHL Top Draft Prospect Award 
| 2001
|
|-
! colspan="3"|[[American Hockey League|AHL]]
|-
| All-Rookie Team
| [[2002–03 AHL season|2003]]
| 
|-
| [[AHL All-Star Classic|All-Star Game]]
| 2003, [[2004–05 AHL season|2005]]
|
|-
| First All-Star Team
| 2005
|
|-
| [[Les Cunningham Award]]
| 2005
|
|-
| [[John B. Sollenberger Trophy]]
| 2005
|
|-
! colspan="3"|[[National Hockey League|NHL]]
|-
| [[NHL All-Star Game|All-Star Game]]
| [[2008 National Hockey League All-Star Game|2008]], [[2012 National Hockey League All-Star Game|2012]] 
|
|-
! colspan="3"|[[International Ice Hockey Federation|International]]
|-
| WC All-Star Team
| [[2015 IIHF World Championship|2015]]
|
|-
| WC Best Forward
| 2015
|
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons}}
* {{Ice hockey stats}}

{{s-start|right}}
{{s-ach}}
{{succession box | before = [[Jay Harrison]] | title = [[Jack Ferguson Award]] | years = 1999 | after = [[Patrick Jarrett (ice hockey)|Patrick Jarrett]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[Anton Volchenkov]] | title = [[List of Ottawa Senators draft picks|Ottawa Senators first round draft pick]] | years = [[2001 NHL Entry Draft|2001]] | after = [[Tim Gleason]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[Jason LaBarbera]] | title = [[Les Cunningham Award]] winner | years = [[2004–05 AHL season|2005]] | after = [[Donald MacLean (ice hockey)|Donald MacLean]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[Pavel Rosa]] | title = [[John B. Sollenberger Trophy]] winner | years = 2005 | after = [[Kirby Law]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[Daniel Alfredsson]] | title = [[Ottawa Senators#Team captains|Ottawa Senators captain]] | years = [[2013–14 NHL season|2013–14]] | after = [[Erik Karlsson]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Spezza, Jason}}
[[Category:1983 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Belleville Bulls players]]
[[Category:Binghamton Senators players]]
[[Category:Brampton Battalion players]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States]]
[[Category:Canadian ice hockey centres]]
[[Category:Canadian sportspeople of Italian descent]]
[[Category:Dallas Stars players]]
[[Category:Grand Rapids Griffins players]]
[[Category:Mississauga IceDogs players]]
[[Category:National Hockey League All-Stars]]
[[Category:NHL first-round draft picks]]
[[Category:Ottawa Senators draft picks]]
[[Category:Ottawa Senators players]]
[[Category:SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers players]]
[[Category:Ice hockey people from Mississauga]]
[[Category:Toronto Maple Leafs players]]
[[Category:Windsor Spitfires players]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian sportsmen]]