By: Ken Oda, minotauroshockey.com
Minot, ND – As the Minotauros seventh season draws near it is time to start meeting the players heading to Minot for training camp. Camp opens September 3rd and the pre-season opens on September 9th against the Bismarck Bobcats at the Maysa Arena. We continue meeting the team with Tauros third round draft pick, forward Landyn Cochrane.
The 20 year-old Cochrane brings three years of junior experience with him to Minot having played the last three seasons in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) with the Waywayseecappo Wolverines. After posting just eight and 14 points respectively in his first two junior seasons Cochrane came on strong last year netting 18 goals and adding 39 assists.
Cochrane describes himself as “a fast skilled forward that makes plays and works hard.” Tauros’ Head Coach and General Manager Marty Murray agreed, “his offensive instincts and compete level really caught our eye.” Murray continued, “Landyn has success and experience at the junior level and I think he’ll come in and make an immediate impact on our club.”
Cochrane’s two-way style is “model[ed] after Claude Giroux” because “he’s a very consistent, hardworking player, who can score.” His all-around game endeared him to the fans in Waywayseecappo where he was named the Fan Favorite at the team’s awards night.
Cochrane’s transition to the United States and NAHL will be helped along by having some familiar faces in Minot, as he has three former teammates; Dylan Gejdos, Johl Swedlo, and Rhett Lough, on the Minot State Beavers roster.
Cochrane said he is excited to get to Minot not just because of his ties to MSU but because “[the Tauros] are a first class organization, that competes every year in a high caliber league.” He continued “I’m looking forward to moving away from home, making a lot of new friends, and touring across parts of America I’ve never seen before.”
With a younger team than in years past Murray thinks Cochrane’s three years of junior experience will be an asset. “I believe he will provide leadership to our group” explained Murray. With eight 20 year-olds on the roster and just seven returning Tauros experience will be valuable as rookies make the transition to the junior game early in the season.
For his part Cochrane said he aims to fill that role, “my goal for the year is to be a key player that my coach can trust to put out in all situations.”
Come back tomorrow when we will meet Erik Dahl. Do not miss your chance to see Cochrane and all of the Tauros in action for the first time September 9th at 7:35 at the Maysa Arena when the Bismarck Bobcats come to Minot to open the pre-season.