By: Ken Oda, minotauroshockey.com
Minot, ND – As the Minotauros seventh season draws near it is time to start meeting the players who hope to head to the NAHL Showcase after training camp. Camp opened September 3rd and the pre-season continues Wednesday night against the Bismarck Bobcats in Bismarck at 7:15. We continue meeting the team with defenseman Conner McGinnis.
McGinnis’s name should sound familiar to Tauro fans as the young d-man dressed in four games for the Tauros last season. While he was held pointless in four games with the Tauros McGinnis posted plenty of offense for his high school team in Michigan. Over the last two seasons for Detroit Country Day School McGinnis has 50 points in 49 games from the blue line.
Tauros Head Coach and General Manager Marty Murray was impressed by McGinnis’s short stint in Minot last season and is excited to see more, “Connor got his feet wet last year playing in 4 AP games, and he fit right in. I’m anxious to watch him grow and I think he could become a top end D in our league.” Murray was quick to credit Assistant General Manager Chris Lonke with finding McGinnis in Detroit and then recruiting him to Minot, “We’ve built a strong relationship with Connor over the last couple years with Chris Lonke identifying him as a top prospect.”
Lonke explained what drew him to McGinnis, “Connor is a very solid skater that takes pride in being a plus player. He can add offense from the blue as well.” Lonke believes the sky is the limit for McGinnis’s potential, “I’m really excited to see what Connor can do in a full year of Junior hockey. The Tauro fans got a nice taste last year and I think they will like what they see this year even more.”
Asked why he thinks McGinnis will reach that potential Lonke responded, “Many high-level schools are interested in Connor. They should be, because he is a very solid player and an even better person with extremely high character.”
Should McGinnis reach his potential in Minot he will continue the tradition of good defensemen from the Wolverine State. Scott Dornbrock and James LaDouce both came to the Tauros from points on the Mitten and went on to play NCAA DI hockey.
Come back Sunday when we will catch up with veteran forward Miroslav Mucha. Do not miss your chance to see McGinnis and all of the Tauros in game action for Sunday afternoon at 3:00 at the Maysa Arena when the Fargo Force come to Minot to close the pre-season. Tickets will be $5.00 at the door and season ticket holders get in for free.