Sam Fuss Returns

Dec 27, 2017

by: Ken Oda, gotauros.com

Minot, ND – The Minot Minotauros are proud to announce that defenseman Sam Fuss will be returning to the team.  Fuss was a Tauro for the 2015-16 season during which he posted 18 points (3 goals 15 assists) and led the team with a +17 rating.

Fuss then spent the 2016-17 season with the USHL’s Cedar Rapids Roughriders where he committed to NCAA Division I Niagara University.  Fuss started this season with Niagara, but an injury before the season began forced him to sit this season out as a “redshirt.”  Now healthy, Fuss will be joining the Tauros for the remainder of the season.

The decision to come back to Minot was based on the ability to play games.  Fuss explained, “coming off an ACL injury as a Freshman put me behind, and I want to get back on top of my game.”  Tauros Head Coach and General Manager Marty Murray espoused the value of returning to junior as a means to accomplish that goal, “there is really no substitute for playing.”

As a free agent, Fuss could have gone anywhere to finish his junior eligibility but as he explained, “I played in Minot and I loved it when I was there, I figured it would be a good fit for my last year of junior.”  When asked if he had any goals aside from finishing his rehab, Fuss always a team guy said, “I want to win here, looking at the standings I think we should be a top two seed in the division.”

Murray was understandably excited to get a player of Fuss’s caliber for the second half of the season, “adding a player of his caliber will have an immediate impact on the ice, he’s a kid who will provide a lot of leadership off the ice as well.  We’re thrilled to have him back.” Fuss agreed that he will be able to provide leadership beyond just his play, “definitely, having been there, I’ve seen what it takes on and off the ice to prepare to play at the DI level.”

Fuss will join the team tonight for their first practice after the Christmas break and be ready to play Friday when the Tauros take on the Bismarck Bobcats.  Fuss will then play his first game on the Pepsi Rink at Maysa Arena when the Tauros will then return home on Saturday night to host the Bobcats at 7:35.  Tickets for Saturday’s home game are available to purchase through the “Tickets” tab atop this page.