Spencer Abraham, Law’20, pulled double-duty last week, splitting his time between studying for first-year exams and lacing up against Canada’s World Junior prospects. Selected to the U SPORTS All-Star team for the third consecutive year, the captain and top defenceman of the Gaels men’s hockey team helped clinch historic wins as Hockey Canada pared down its roster for the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship.

In a two-game exhibition series between the best Canadian university players and the top under-20 players from across the country, the student squad scored a shut-out and a 4–3 win at the Meridian Centre in St. Catharines. Assistant Captain Abraham played a role not only in U SPORTS’ first shut-out since the annual competitions began against Canada’s juniors in 1988, but also in his side’s first regulation win and series sweep in the three years since U SPORTS started selecting all-stars nationally rather than suiting up a single school team. 

“I am proud of Spencer and the performance of the U SPORTS All-Stars vs the Canadian Juniors,” says Brett Gibson, Head Coach of Gaels Men’s Hockey. “His commitment to his academics and his sport is second to none. I always tell Spencer great things happen to great people and he is right up there in my eyes.”

Coming off this latest victory, Abraham fully appreciates the value of the experience for university hockey players. “It was a great opportunity for us to showcase our talents against the best young players in the world,” he says. “There were lots of NHL scouts watching.”

Abraham, who has played some NHL exhibition games with the Florida Panthers, is used to participating in high-level competitions. He spent four years as an Ontario Hockey League blue-liner with the Brampton Battalion and then the Erie Otters before starting undergrad and joining the Gaels at Queen’s in 2013. Early this year, he helped Canada win bronze at the FISU Winter Universiade in Kazakhstan and vied for the U SPORTS Cup as the Gaels’ made their first national championship appearance in 36 years. 

Next up, Abraham and the Queen’s Gaels will take on the University of Ontario Institute of Technology Ridgebacks at the Kingston Memorial Centre on January 6, 2018. Two days later, he’ll be back in class. 

“The supportive environment from fellow students, professors and staff members in regard to the pursuit of my NHL and legal aspirations is unmatched,” Abraham says. “I am thrilled about my future in both the legal profession and hockey.”

By Lisa Graham