Minot Minotauros

Last updated
Minot Minotauros
Minot Minotauros.svg
City Minot, North Dakota
League North American Hockey League
DivisionCentral
Founded2011
Home arena Maysa Arena
ColorsCardinal Red, Cream, Old Gold, Black, and White
     
General managerCody Campbell
Head coachCody Campbell [1]
Media KMOT Minot Daily News
Franchise history
2011–presentMinot Minotauros

The Minot Minotauros (commonly known as the Tauros) are a Tier II junior ice hockey team playing in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). Based in Minot, North Dakota, the Tauros play their home games at Maysa Arena. [2] [3]

Contents

History

The Tauros are Minot's fifth hockey team, following the El Paso/Minot Raiders of the Southwest Hockey League in 1975–76 and then as the Minot Rangers for the 1976–77 season, the Minot Maple Leafs of the Continental Hockey League for the 1985–86 season, the Minot Americans/Top Guns of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League from 1987 to 1997, and the Minot Muskies, which played in the America West Hockey League for the 2000–01 season. [4]

Season-by-season records

SeasonGPWLOTLPTSGFGAPIMFinishPlayoffs
2011–12607494181042521,3135th, CentralDid not qualify
2012–136026304561571861,2844th, CentralLost Round 1, 1–3 vs. Austin Bruins
2013–146024333511301657974th, CentralLost Div. Semifinals, 1–3 vs. Austin Bruins
2014–156037176801841378562nd, CentralWon Round 1, 3–0 vs. Bismarck Bobcats
Lost Quarterfinals, 2–3 vs. Austin Bruins
2015–1660351967618515811062nd, CentralLost Div. Semifinals, 1–3 vs. Austin Bruins
2016–1760381848019215611371st, CentralLost Div. Semifinals, 1–3 vs. Aberdeen Wings
2017–186028266621611688394th, CentralWon div. semifinals, 3–2 vs. Aberdeen Wings
Won Div. Finals, 3–0 vs. Austin Bruins,
Won Robertson Cup Semifinals, 2–1 vs. Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Lost Robertson Cup Championship game, 1–2 vs. Shreveport Mudbugs
2018–196036213752071619432nd, CentralWon Div. Semifinals, 3–0 vs. Bismarck Bobcats
Lost Division Finals, 1–3 vs. Aberdeen Wings
2019–205027167611921716224th, CentralSeason cancelled
2020–215623258541501999724th, CentralLost Div. Semifinals, 2–3 vs. Aberdeen Wings
2021–2260282935917318410825th of 6, Central
21st of 29, NAHL
Did not qualify
2022–236031272641801898434th of 6, Central
17th of 29, NAHL
Lost Div. Semifinals, 0–3 vs. Austin Bruins
2023-246044142902081259191st of 6 Cental, 2nd of 32 NAHLWon Div. Semi-Finals, 3-0 vs. Austin Bruins
Won Div. Finals, 3-1 vs. Bismarck Bobcats
TBD Robertson Cup Semis, 0-0 vs. Anchorage/Maryland

Notable alumni

The Minotauros have helped over 150 players move on to the NCAA level of play. The most notable alumni is Blake Lizotte of the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL. Other notable alumni of the program include Jon Lizotte (St. Cloud State, Wilkes Barre Scranton Penguins), Johnny Walker (Arizona State, Utah Grizzlies) and Kyle Kukkonen (Michigan Tech, Anaheim Ducks).

Playoffs

First Round - Austin Bruins defeated Minot Minotauros 3-games-to-1
First Round - Austin Bruins defeated Minot Minotauros 3-games-to-1
First Round - Minot Minotauros deafted Bismarck Bobcats 3-games-to-0
Second Round - Austin Bruins defeated Minot Minotauros 3-games-to-2
First Round - Austin Bruins defeated Minot Minotauros 3-games-to-1
First Round: - Aberdeen Wings defeated Minot Minotauros 3-games-to-1
First Round: - Minot Minotauros defeated Aberdeen Wings3-games-to-2
Second Round: - Minot Minotauros defeated Austin Bruins3-games-to-0
Robertson Cup Semi-Finals: - Minot Minotauros defeated Fairbanks Ice Dogs 2-games-to-1
Robertson Cup Championship: - Shreveport Mudbugs defeated Minot Minotauros 2-1
First Round: - Minot Minotauros defeated Bismarck Bobcats3-games-to-0
Second Round: - Aberdeen Wings defeated Minot Minotauros 3-games-to-1
First Round: - Aberdeen Wings defeated Minot Minotauros 3-games-to-2
First Round: - Austin Bruins defeated Minot Minotauros 3-games-to-0
First Round: - Minot Minotauros defeated Austin Bruins3-games-to-0

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minot, North Dakota</span> City in North Dakota, United States

Minot is a city in and the county seat of Ward County, North Dakota, United States, in the state's north-central region. It is most widely known for the Air Force base approximately 15 miles (24 km) north of the city. With a population of 48,377 at the 2020 census, Minot is the state's fourth-most populous city and a trading center for a large part of northern North Dakota, southwestern Manitoba, and southeastern Saskatchewan. Founded in 1886 during the construction of James J. Hill's Great Northern Railway, Minot is also known as "Magic City", commemorating its remarkable growth in size over a short time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North American Hockey League</span> US Tier II junior ice hockey league

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) is one of the top junior hockey leagues in the United States and is in its 49th season of operation in 2023–24. It is the only Tier II junior league sanctioned by USA Hockey, and acts as an alternative for those who would not or did not make the roster of a team in the Major Junior Canadian Hockey League (CHL) nor Tier I United States Hockey League (USHL). The NAHL is one of the oldest junior hockey leagues in the United States and is headquartered in Addison, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Estevan Bruins</span> Junior ice hockey team in Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada

The Estevan Bruins are a junior ice hockey team playing in the Junior "A" Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL). The team is based in Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada, and plays at Affinity Place. They were founded in 1971, when a previous franchise called the Estevan Bruins, which played in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League from 1957 to 1966 and then the Major Junior Western Hockey League (WHL) from 1966 to 1971, relocated to New Westminster, British Columbia; that franchise is today known as the Kamloops Blazers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Zombo</span> American ice hockey player and coach (born 1963)

Richard James Zombo is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 12 seasons between 1984 and 1996. He was the men's ice hockey head coach at Lindenwood University for 14 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Detroit Jr. Red Wings (SOJHL)</span> Ice hockey team in Detroit, Michigan

The Detroit Jr. Red Wings are a defunct Tier II Junior "A" ice hockey team that was based out of Detroit, Michigan. They played out of the Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League and were the feeder team for the National Hockey League's Detroit Red Wings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fairbanks Ice Dogs</span> Professional ice hockey team in Fairbanks, Alaska, United States

The Fairbanks Ice Dogs are a Tier II junior ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's Midwest Division. The Ice Dogs play home games at the 2,200-seat Big Dipper Ice Arena in Fairbanks, Alaska.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bismarck Bobcats</span> Ice hockey team in Bismarck, North Dakota

The Bismarck Bobcats are a Tier II junior ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's (NAHL) Central Division, and play out of Bismarck, North Dakota, in the V.F.W. Sports Center. Originally a part of the American Frontier Hockey League, the Bobcats joined the NAHL in a merger of the two leagues in 2003. In 2005, the Bobcats hosted the Robertson Cup tournament.

The America West Hockey League (AWHL) was a Tier II Junior A ice hockey league. The AWHL was formed in 1992 to offer junior ice hockey to the Rocky Mountain region of USA Hockey. It originally was called the American Frontier Hockey League (AFHL), and the name change to AWHL came in 1998. The AWHL merged with the North American Hockey League in 2003 and after the merger, the NAHL name was kept.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amarillo Wranglers (NAHL)</span> Ice hockey team in Amarillo, Texas

The Amarillo Wranglers are a Tier II junior ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's South Division. The team's home arena is the Amarillo Civic Center in Amarillo, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dawson Creek Rage</span> Ice hockey team in British Columbia

The Dawson Creek Rage were a Tier II Junior A ice hockey team, based out of Dawson Creek, British Columbia. Formed in 2010, they played in the North American Hockey League's West Division for two seasons. Their 2010–11 season included a six-game win streak, though they ended the season fifth in a six team division with 24 wins in 58 games. The 2011–12 season included an 11-game homestand in which they only won 2 games, and a last place finish with only 12 wins overall. With losing records in both seasons, the team did not make the playoffs in either season. Despite attracting better than average attendance for a NAHL team, high travelling and operating costs resulted in the team ceasing operations in April 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aberdeen Wings</span> Ice hockey team in Aberdeen, South Dakota

The Aberdeen Wings are a Tier II junior ice hockey team based out of Aberdeen, South Dakota, that began play for 2010–11. A member of the North American Hockey League in the Central Division, the Wings play their home games in the Odde Ice Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austin Bruins</span> Ice hockey team in Austin, Minnesota

The Austin Bruins are a Tier II junior ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's Central Division. The Bruins play their home games in the Riverside Arena in Austin, Minnesota.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chippewa Steel</span> Ice hockey team in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

The Chippewa Steel is a Tier II junior ice hockey team based in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, that plays in the North American Hockey League (NAHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amarillo Bulls</span> Ice hockey team in Amarillo, Texas

The Amarillo Bulls were a Tier II junior ice hockey team based in Amarillo, Texas. They were a member of the North American Hockey League's South Division and played home games in the Amarillo Civic Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Langer</span> American ice hockey coach

Scott Langer is the current coach of the Aberdeen Wings in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). He previously held positions as the head coach of the Fargo Force, a Tier I junior hockey team in the United States Hockey League (USHL) and also served as the head coach and general manager of the Topeka RoadRunners. Langer is one of the most successful junior hockey coaches in the United States. He has amassed an overall record of 637-244-82 (.704), the most wins in NAHL history. Langer off the ice has helped over 290 junior hockey players reach the college hockey ranks while with the RoadRunners and Wings organizations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Odessa Jackalopes</span> Ice hockey team in Odessa, Texas

The Odessa Jackalopes are a Tier II junior ice hockey team playing in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). The team is based in Odessa, Texas and plays their home games at Ector County Coliseum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maysa Arena</span>

Maysa Arena is a multi-purpose venue located in Minot, North Dakota. The name Maysa is an acronym for Minot Area Youth Skating Association, a group that proposed the construction of the three-rink arena in the 1990s. The $3.9 million arena on the Burdick Expressway was opened in October 2000. The arena is home to the Minot Minotauros of the North American Hockey League and the Minot State Beavers men's ice hockey of the American Collegiate Hockey Association.

The Oklahoma Warriors are a Tier II junior ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's South Division. The Warriors play their home games at Blazers Ice Centre in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Ondřej Pavel is a Czech professional ice hockey forward for the Colorado Eagles in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mason Morelli</span> American ice hockey player (born 1996)

Mason Morelli is an American professional ice hockey center for the Henderson Silver Knights of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL). After playing junior ice hockey with the Minot Minotauros of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) and Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League (USHL), Morelli went undrafted into the NHL, and subsequently played four years of college ice hockey at the University of Nebraska Omaha. After his time in Omaha, he spent several seasons in the minor leagues, signing his first professional contract with the Stockton Heat of the American Hockey League (AHL) in 2019, followed by periods in the ECHL with the Kansas City Mavericks and South Carolina Stingrays. After winning the Calder Cup with the Hershey Bears in 2023, Morelli signed his first NHL contract with Vegas in July 2023, and made his NHL debut for the Golden Knights in February 2024. Having scored both his first goal and first assist in his first game, Morelli is the first player in Golden Knights franchise history to record a multi-point game in his debut.

References

  1. "Minotauros announce coaching change". NAHL. September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  2. "NAHL Approves Minot, North Dakota Membership". North American Hockey League. 2011-03-28. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
  3. Bieri, Chris (2011-03-29). "NAHL announces expansion into Minot". Minot Daily News. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
  4. "NAHL adds Minot, ND, team starting next season". CBS Minnesota. 2011-03-29. Retrieved 2011-03-29.