Blockbuster

Jan 25, 2016

By: Ken Oda, minotauroshockey.com

Minot, ND – The Minotauros have traded forward Johnny Walker (17g 20a) to the Topeka Roadrunners for Matt Jennings (8g 17a).  Walker leaves Minot after two and a half seasons in which he posted a franchise record 39 goals; his 42 assists are second in club history as are his career 81 points.  In Jennings the Tauros get a player who plays all three phases of the game. With 10 power play assists and three shorthanded goals Jennings will hopefully bolster the Tauros 17th ranked power play and 21st ranked penalty kill. 

Tauros Head Coach and General Manager Marty Murray said of moving Walker, “it was the hardest decision we’ve ever made, we just felt over the last 25 games as a team we haven’t been where we needed to be and we needed a major shakeup.  Our success over the last two years has Johnny’s fingerprints all over it.  We’ll keep rooting for him from Minot and wish him nothing but success.”

Murray then turned his attention to Jennings, “I think he has established himself as a top player in the South.  He’s more of a playmaker, wins faceoffs, kills penalties, and will be a big player for us.  He’s getting a lot of college attention as well as a ’97.”

Jennings has posted seven goals and 17 assists over his last 25 games and has two seasons of eligibility remaining after this one.  He will join the team this week prior to the road trip to Aberdeen.  The Tauros return home to Minot for games against the Aberdeen Wings February 5th and 6th.