Howie and Monfils to Marian

May 18, 2015

By: Ken Oda, minotauroshockey.com

Minot, ND – The Minot Minotauros are proud to announce that Jake Howie and Nick Monfils have committed to play college hockey for the Marian University Sabres.  Marian University, located in Fond du Lac, WI; competes in the NCAA Division III Northern Collegiate Hockey Association.  Howie and Monfils both aged out of junior at the end of the season and were ineligible to return to Minot, but the duo both made left their mark on the program.

Howie finished his junior career with two seasons in Minot posting 51 points, good for fifth all time in Minotauros history.  His 23 goals are the third most by a Tauro and his 28 assists are seventh.  His seven playoff points over the last two seasons are good for second best in the Tauros’ record books.  Howie was a three phase player seeing ice time on both special teams units as well.  Sabres assistant coach Taylor Langford said of Howie; “Jake is a top notch two way player with an extremely high compete level. We believe his game will translate very well into the college ranks. We are pleased to announce the addition of Jake to our program.”

Monfils joined the Tauros last summer via trade from the Corpus Christi Ice Rays. He finished fifth on the Tauros in scoring this season with 31 points (15g 16a).  His three goals against the Bismarck Bobcats in Game One of the 2015 Central Division Semi-Finals was the first playoff hat trick in franchise history.  His eight total points this spring were the most by any Tauro in a post season.  Langford described Monfils, “We believe Nick's work ethic and skill set will make him a very good college player. His abilities will have an immediate impact on our team. Very excited to have Nick joining our program.”

Tauros assistant coach Nigel Dube praised both players: “they’re both great character kids.  Jake came in as a 20-year-old with high expectations and delivered.  He was a big part of our success, both with his offense and on the penalty kill.  Nick got off to a bit of a slow start but really drove our offense once he got going later in the year.  Then he got hot at the right time and helped carry us in the playoffs.”

With their commitments to Marian Howie and Monfils become the 29th and 30th Minotauros to move on to the NCAA DI or DIII ranks, in the program’s four year history.  That number is expected to grow before the puck drops on the 2015/16 season.  Stay up to date on all Minotauros offseason news by following us on Facebook (Official Minotauros Hockey) and Twitter (@MinotauroHockey) or checking back at minotauroshockey.com