The Magnificent Seven

Jan 21, 2013

by, Ken Oda, minotauroshockey.com

 

Minot, ND – The Minotauros are proud to announce that seven members of the 2012/2013 team have been named to North American Hockey League Top Prospects rosters.  The NAHL Top Prospects Tournament, presented by Combat Hockey, which will be held from February 18-20 at the Troy Sports Center in Troy, Michigan, functions as the league’s all-star festivities.  The seven Minotauros will be spread over three teams.  Tim Donohue, Jake O’Borsky, Jadin Martin and Scott Dornbrock will represent Team Dakota; Jake Clifford and Mason Morelli will play for the Under 18 Selects; and Tyler Parks earned a wild-card spot on Team Frontier.  

At the event, five regional teams  and one young stars team – Dakota, Frontier, Great Lakes, Midwest, Texas and the NAHL 18U Selects – will each play three games. Each team consists of a 20-man roster as nominated by the league’s 24 head coaches and then chosen by the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament head coaches and selection committee. 

Head coach Marty Murray said “We’re very proud not only of the seven guys who made it to Top Prospects, but of the way the team has played as a whole.  Having seven guys picked shows that people around the league have taken notice of how well we’ve played this year; it’s a great day for the Tauros.”  Donohue, the Tauros captain, echoed Murray’s statements  and then pointed out that the Tauros are “sending the second most players behind Austin, its going to be a battle this weekend when they come to town.”

Of course with seven Tauros spread out over three teams they will have to play each other.  Morelli and Clifford will play each of their teammates while Parks’ Frontier Team does not play the rest of the Tauros on the Dakota squad.  Morelli joked “I’m going to snipe Parks.”  Teammates being split up will not be the only awkward thing about the weekend.  Martin said, “its going to be weird playing with guys you hate all season.”

Tim Donohue leads the Tauros with 11 goals on the season and serves as the team’s captain.  The second year player also has eight assists for 19 points in 29 games.  He makes the Top Prospects Team despite missing time this season with a broken bone in his hand.

Jake O’Borsky leads the Minotauros in scoring with 10 goals and 19 assists for 29 points in 32 games played.  The big forward has a nose for the net and excels at putting rebounds in behind goaltenders.  Acquired in a trade with Wenatchee early in the season O’Borsky has been a key to the Minotauros turnaround.    

Jadin Martin represented the Minotauros as last seasons Top Prospects Tournament and with 25 points on the season has already almost matched last season’s total of 25.  In his third NAHL season Martin is a vocal leader on the team, he is also one of two local Minot products on the team.

Scott Dornbrock the big defenseman (6’3” 220) has been a steadying force on the back end for the Tauros.  He has nine assists and is +1 on the season in 20 games since being acquired via trade from Topeka.

Mason Morelli at 16 he is the second youngest player named to the Top Prospects Tournament.  Mason will be playing on the U18 Selects. His 10 goals and nine assists are good for 19 points on the season.  Morelii has been especially dangerous on the power play with six goal and six assists when the Tauros are up a man.  Morelli is the other Minot native on the Tauros.

Jake Clifford will join Morelli on the U18 Selects.  His four goals and ten assists lead all Tauros defensemen in scoring.  Cliffords goal on Saturday night was a perfect example of the skill the young d-man possess driving from his own blue line to the net to tie the game.

Tyler Parks The gigantic goaltender has come up big for the Tauros time and time again on the season.  His .922 SV% is eighth best in the NAHL.  Parks is at his best when the pressure is on, he has not allowed an overtime goal and has won seven of nine shootouts.