By: Neil Simmons | Follow me on Twitter / X: @NSimmz
Few prospects in the Bruins organization have taken the road less traveled more than Cole Spicer. The former Boston fourth-round pick has endured an arduous journey since being drafted in 2022, but has found his way back on track in a new home to further his development.
Coming out of the United States Hockey League (USHL) in his draft year, Spicer began his college career with Minnesota-Duluth, recording 8-7-15 over 49 games with the Bulldogs before being ruled academically ineligible midway through the season. Spicer had been dealing with lingering concussion issues that affected his grades as well as his mental health, and elected to leave the program and step away from hockey entirely to prioritize recovery.
After a period of time, Spicer returned to the ice for Bruins Development Camp in 2024 and joined the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL for the 2024-25 season. Playing alongside fellow Bruins draft picks Jonathan Morello & Kristian Kostadinski, Spicer contributed effectively for Dubuque but was not without further hindrance. After playing in the season opener in mid-September, Spicer missed the following two months of play and by Christmas had only appeared in seven games.
Once he returned, Spicer became a force for the Saints. He finished the season with a 9-26-35 stat line in 37 games, finishing eighth on the team in scoring and fourth in assists, but first with .95 points-per-game. Spicer’s season with Dubuque earned him a return to college hockey, where he still has two years of eligibility remaining, and he committed to Arizona State in April.
However, his comeback would not come without further setbacks. Despite a successful USHL season, Spicer’s tenure with the Sun Devils was short-lived. In late July, Brad Elliott Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald reported that the program had “moved on”, forcing him to find a new home on short notice. Ty Anderson later added that Arizona State’s decision stemmed from Spicer dealing with “significant injury issues” that may have contributed to him also missing Bruins Development Camp earlier in the summer.
Despite the continuously mounting obstacles, Spicer found a home in time for the 2025-26 season, with the reigning National Champion Western Michigan Broncos. As with most teams that win it all, the Broncos endured substantial talent drain over the offseason and had plenty of openings to take a chance on a player like Spicer. The Broncos had lost nine forwards over the summer, most prominently first-line wing Alex Bump and captain/third-line center Tim Washe, among six who skated in the 6-2 triumph over Boston University last April.
Spicer may not be a perfect fit to step right in and replicate Bump or Washe by himself, but he can be a strong complementary piece to add a layer of depth to fill their voids at both ends of the ice. DobberProspects describes Spicer as a “Hardworking two-way forward who distributes the puck efficiently”, while The Hockey Writers highlights his energy, skating, vision, and Hockey IQ.
Beyond Bump and Washe, the Broncos are also replacing their first and fourth line centers as well as a third line wing, giving Spicer plenty of opportunity to lock down a lineup spot despite his late arrival. He’ll have to contend with Colorado College transfer Zaccharaya Wisdom and Michigan transfer William Whitelaw, as well as four incoming freshmen, for ice time right away. Spicer’s smarts and passing ability should quickly make him an asset in Kalamazoo as the preseason #1 team in the nation begins its title defense.
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