UMD’s Spicer Academically Ineligible for 2nd Half of Season

5 goals, 4 assists in 2023-24 season

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD men’s hockey team have suffered another loss to their lineup ahead of the Holiday Face-Off in Milwaukee.

On Tuesday, Head Coach Scott Sandelin announced that sophomore Cole Spicer is out for the second half of the season, citing academics. Per Sandelin, Spicer will still be able to practice and be around the team but will not suit up on gamedays.

Spicer joined the Bulldogs after being drafted in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins (4th round, 117th overall). In his second season at UMD, Spicer recorded five goals and four assists. “It’s hard for us, obviously as a group to not have a guy that we love and care about around us,” said forward and team captain Luke Loheit.

Spicer had an increased role with the team after fellow center Dominic James suffered a season-ending injury in October. Other centers on the Bulldogs’ roster include freshman Matthew Perkins, along with sophomores Carter Loney and Jack Smith. Meanwhile, Loheit pointed to himself as a possible option in the middle. “I think we have a lot of guys that can step in. I know myself — I played center growing up, I played center in high school, and yeah, it’s something I feel very comfortable stepping into. So yeah, I think we have guys that are willing and able to step in those roles.”

UMD will take the ice on Thursday in Milwaukee against Northeastern before playing either Wisconsin or Air Force in the final day of the Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off.