Bruins draft pick Cole Spicer pausing hockey career ‘for the foreseeable future’

Spicer was selected by the Bruins in the fourth round of the 2022 NHL Draft and recently participated in their Development Camp.

 

Bruins 2022 draft pick Cole Spicer is putting his hockey career on pause.

Spicer told the Duluth News Tribune‘s Matt Wellens that he won’t be playing hockey “for the foreseeable future.” The 20-year-old center was set to enter his junior season at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

“I need to figure out some personal and mental stuff first,” Spicer told Wellens. “Right now I need to take a step away and figure a couple things out.”

After the Bruins selected him in the fourth round of the 2022 NHL Draft, Spicer began his college hockey career at Minnesota Duluth later that year. The center scored three goals and dished out three assists in 32 games that season.

Bruins 2022 draft pick Cole Spicer is putting his hockey career on pause.

Spicer told the Duluth News Tribune‘s Matt Wellens that he won’t be playing hockey “for the foreseeable future.” The 20-year-old center was set to enter his junior season at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

“I need to figure out some personal and mental stuff first,” Spicer told Wellens. “Right now I need to take a step away and figure a couple things out.”

After the Bruins selected him in the fourth round of the 2022 NHL Draft, Spicer began his college hockey career at Minnesota Duluth later that year. The center scored three goals and dished out three assists in 32 games that season.

Spicer showed improvement as a sophomore in 2023-24. He scored five goals and four assists in 17 games, but his season came to an abrupt end when he was ruled academically ineligible for the second half of the year.

Even though he was ineligible to play, Spicer still practiced with Minnesota Duluth as he was still enrolled in classes. He was also enrolled in summer courses, according to Wellens.

Spicer’s decision to put hockey on hold came a week after he participated in Bruins Development Camp. He didn’t give any indication that he’d be leaving Minnesota Duluth when he spoke with reporters at the camp, saying “I love Duluth with my entire heart.”

Additionally, Spicer said that while missing the second half of last season was tough, he was in a good spot ahead of the 2024-25 season.

“It’s tough to watch, but at the same time, I had to figure some stuff out and get my head back to where it needed to be,” Spicer told reporters in Boston. “I’m feeling good now. So, I’m excited for the year.”

Spicer also expressed an appreciation for the Bruins organization while at their Development Camp.

“It’s awesome. Such a cool city and such a great staff,” Spicer said. “They welcome you with open arms so it’s a great spot to be drafted to and I’m super honored every time I come here.”

Spicer had some standout moments at the Bruins’ Development Camp in 2023, notably scoring a goal in the full-team scrimmage that concluded the week of practices. The 5-foot-10, left-shot center was viewed as a top-100 prospect by many ahead of the 2022 NHL Draft due to his speed and hockey IQ. The Bruins ultimately took Spicer with the 117th overall pick in the draft.