Cole Spicer has retired from hockey and will not return for his junior season at the University of Minnesota Duluth.
The 2022 Boston Bruins draft pick revealed his decision to Matt Wellens of the Duluth News Tribune , saying he needed time to “figure out some things” and won't be playing hockey “for the time being.”
A fourth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, Spicer began his collegiate career at the University of Duluth. The center recorded three goals and as many assists in 32 games for the Bulldogs as a freshman. He picked up a bit of a pace as a sophomore with five goals and four assists, but his season came to an abrupt end when Spicer was deemed “academically ineligible” to continue playing hockey.
Despite not being able to play in games, Spicer continued to practice with the team and attend classes.
Spicer attended the Bruins' development camp earlier this summer but didn't discuss taking a break from the sport, saying that while missing part of last season was tough, he's looking forward to his junior season.
“It's tough to watch, but at the same time, I just had to figure some things out and get my head back on track,” Spicers said on July 3. “I feel good right now, so I'm excited for this year.”
Spicer's future career path is unclear, but he has several options, including entering the transfer portal — but would need to be academically accepted by the school he'd like to transfer to, which Wellens said is unlikely — and potentially signing with the Bruins and playing for either Providence or the Maine Mariners.
