Grand Forks hockey player Cole Spicer says he's getting a second chance by committing to play hockey at Arizona State. It will be his second college hockey team after spending two seasons with the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
"The plane ride home (from Arizona) I just kind of took a breather and thought about everything that's happened," Spicer said. "I kind of believe everything happens for a reason."
When Spicer joins Arizona State next season, it will be his first college hockey action since December 2023. Spicer sat out the remainder of the 2023-24 season after being ruled academically ineligible.
“Just kind of working on myself mentally and physically, kind of getting back to feeling good and getting excited to go out there and play," Spicer said about his time after leaving Duluth.
Originally unsure if he would play competitive hockey again, the Bruins draft pick returned to junior hockey with the USHL's Dubuque Fighting Saints this winter.
“I had to take my time, and figure a couple things out, but once I did, and once I got there, I was super pumped to be back," Spicer said. "Dubuque has been a really good spot for me to kind of get my confidence back, play, and just have fun playing hockey again."
Spicer has seven goals and 23 assists so far for Dubuque this season. His hockey career has taken him all over the country.
Spicer helped Grand Forks Central win a North Dakota state hockey championship in 2019, before leaving for a 15U hockey team in Michigan. He spent two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program and was even committed to UND out of high school.
“Going into college as a young kid, you kind of have some stuff to figure out. I kind of took the pill the hard way, but you got to learn. You got to grow. I think I've handled it as best I can," Spicer said. "ASU is kind of giving me that second chance. I'm super excited and hopefully I can win them some hockey games."
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Spicer will be the first Grand Forks Central product to play for Arizona State. The Sun Devils do have a North Dakotan on the roster already. Minot's Brasen Boser will be a sophomore next season.
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