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three photos of Addison DeBoer; one smiling and two playing hockey

Will Wackman, Spring Lake Park High School (SLPHS) Director of Athletics and Activities, is excited to announce Addison DeBoer as the new boys’ hockey coach.

“Coach DeBoer is a great fit for our hockey community,” Wackman said. “Like David Backes, DeBoer is Spring Lake Park hockey. He has walked in the shoes of our current and future players as he grew up in our community playing for the Panthers, and then continued his career at Colorado College and professionally.”

DeBoer is a 2006 graduate of SLPHS, where he played four years on varsity and became the leading scorer in SLPHS hockey history. DeBoer’s hockey roots started in the Spring Lake Park youth hockey league, and his grandfather and dad (pictured below with DeBoer in a red jersey)have been actively involved in the community, including their active involvement in building Fogerty Arena, home to the Panthers.

Addison DeBoer in high school school standing with his dad and grandpa behind him

“Coach DeBoer was an outstanding student-athlete and will be a role model for all our players,” Wackman said. “His hockey pedigree is outstanding, but more importantly, he is a great person. Our department believes that success starts with character and Coach DeBoer is a shining example of what we strive for on a daily basis.”

After high school, DeBoer played four years at Colorado College and made appearances in 138 games. He received accolades for his academics, where he was named All-WCHA Academic Team three times and WCHA Scholar Athlete twice, while earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematical economics.

“I am very happy for Addison and I know he will do an outstanding job,” said Scott Owens, former Colorado College head hockey coach. “While he was at Colorado College, he was a conscientious, hardworking, team-first player and I know he will bring those skills and attributes into his program. His unique skill set as a hockey player and what he has learned in his business career gives him a chance to be the home run hire Spring Lake Park is looking for.”

After college, DeBoer played on several minor league and professional hockey teams in Oklahoma, Texas, Iowa and Australia from March 2010-November 2011. He recently relocated back to Minnesota with his wife and young daughter so he could get involved in the hockey community again.

I've been ingrained in Spring Lake Park hockey since before I could skate. I remember rollerblading in the Tower Days parade as a member of the youth hockey association, our victory over Totino-Grace on senior night at Fogerty Arena and all the memories in between. My passion for hockey is deep rooted in Spring Lake Park and I look forward to helping the program continue to progress toward a conference championship.

–Addison DeBoer

DeBoer is proud to be named the next head coach of Panther hockey and is excited to come back and be a part of the SLP hockey community once again. Next time he steps into Fogerty Arena will feel a little different, as he takes the ice as not a player, but a coach of his alma mater.

“Everyone in the Spring Lake Park community should be excited to have one of our own lead the hockey program into the future,” Wackman said.

Addison DeBoer playing hockey for Colorado College
Addison DeBoer playing hockey for the Quad City Mallards
Addison DeBoer playing hockey for Colorado College