Defenseman from Colorado commits to UMaine hockey team

By Larry Mahoney, BDN Staff

The University of Maine men’s hockey team has landed a point-producing defenseman for the 2015-16 season in Cam Spicer from the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs of the Eastern Junior Hockey League.

Ryan Frew, general manager and head coach of the Junior Monarchs, said Spicer is a “special player. He is dynamic. He’s a rising star.”

“Cam is a smooth-skating puck possessor,” Frew said. “He is an offensive-minded defenseman who will also play very well in one-on-one [defensive] situations. He gets the puck out of trouble spots. He has great vision and is a great puck-handler. He makes a very good first pass, is excellent in transition and understands the game.”

Spicer is 6-foot-1, 185 pounds and is from Erie, Colo. He will turn 18 in February.

He currently has five goals and seven assists through 23 games for the Monarchs.

“I had a gut feeling [about Maine],” said Spicer who noted that he had talked to nine or 10 Division I schools. “My favorite part was the nostalgia [and tradition] of the program. And the whole state is behind it.”

He added that it is a good fit academically and athletically and he was impressed with the coaching staff.

“They’re taking the program in the right direction and I want to be part of it,” said Spicer, who plans to play in the United States Hockey League next season.

Spicer has an exceptional work ethic and is an excellent student who is “very much involved in community service” according to Frew.

“He is an unbelievable young man who comes from a great family,” said Frew.

He added that Spicer is strong for his size and age and will need to keep getting stronger.

Spicer’s coming to Maine is contingent upon his acceptance into the school and meeting NCAA eligibility requirements.