By: Ken Oda, minotauroshockey.com
Minot, ND – Coming off of two consecutive weekends on the road watching players at pre-draft camps after spending the winter and spring scouting the Minotauros coaching staff was ready for today’s NAHL Entry Draft. With 13 picks overall Marty Murray and co. were ready to bolster a roster that took the Austin Bruins to three overtimes before finally being eliminated from the post-season.
Using a balanced approached, the Tauros coaching staff selected 13 players, and left the draft happy with the results. Overall the team added eight forwards, four defensemen, and a goaltender; selecting five players with junior hockey experience, seven from the high school ranks, and one who played AAA Midget.
In the first round of the draft the Tauros took Mitchell Snyder sixth overall. While Snyder posted only one assist in 19 games with the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers last season he has shown the ability to produce before in the NAHL posting 18 goals and 17 assists for a total of 35 points two seasons ago with the Fresno Monsters.
Second round pick Lucas Debenedet lead the SIJHL in scoring last season posting 112 points during the regular season. The Tauros’ third round selection Patrick Gazzillo is another USHL player who has shown the ability to produce in the NAHL as he had 10 points and a +20 rating for the Soo Eagles two seasons ago. Chaise Howard, the Minotauros’ fourth round pick is a former teammate of current Tauro Troy Degeler. The duo combined for 24 goals and 54 assists when playing together two seasons ago in Florida.
Two draft picks with familiar names for Tauros fans are local products Mason Morelli and Quinn Fuchs. Morelli played last season in the USHL with the Fargo Force posting 15 points. The season before he was tied for third in scoring on the Tauros and was a key piece of the leagues sixth ranked power play with seven goals and nine assists while up a man. Fuchs just finished his senior year at Minot High and posted 68 points in just 27 games. After the high school season ended Fuchs was able to join the Tauros for a look getting in the final four games of the season and posting two assists against the Brookings Blizzard.
For a full list of the Tauros 13 draft picks see below, and to keep up with all of the Tauros’ summer news be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @MinotauroHockey. The Tauros fourth NAHL season kicks off September 17th in Blaine, MN, at the NAHL Showcase; the fourth home opener is September 26th against the Austin Bruins.
Minot Minotauros 2014 Entry Draft Selections