Minot, ND – The Minotauros are proud to announce that defenseman Pavol Funtek has committed to play NCAA DI hockey at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Funtek, who is in his final year of juniors, becomes the second Tauro to head to Anchorage after Taylor Lantz who was a Tauro from 2017-19.
Funtek joined the Tauros this season after winning the Clark Cup last season in the USHL with the Youngstown Phantoms. In four games at the NAHL Showcase last week Funtek posted an assist along with stead defensive play that clearly impressed UAA. Also a member of his native Slovakia’s World Junior Championships team last season Funtek has played hockey all over the world with other stops in leagues in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Austria.
As for why Funtek chose Alaska Anchorage he explained, “the biggest reasons I decided for University of Alaska is the opportunity they can provide me, which is a place where I have everything I need to be able to reach my full potential.” He added, “idea of playing division 1 college hockey in Alaska couldn’t be more exciting for me as I love winter and like to spend time in nature and places similar to Alaska.”
Tauros Head Coach/General Manager Cody Campbell was excited to get the Tauros first commit of the new season and for Pavol as well whom was recruited from the USHL, “we are excited for Pavol and his family. He put his trust in us to help guide him towards his goal of playing D1 college hockey and we are happy to have played a small part in him accomplishing that.” Campbell continued, “We are excited to continue to work with and help Pav develop to prepare him to make an immediate impact once he arrives at UAA. The Seawolves will be getting a big rangy D that his very tough to play against and a player that can help his team transition to offense through a consistent ability to exit their own zone. They are also getting an extremely positive and driven person who will be well liked by all on campus.”
Once he does get to campus Funtek has two possible directions in mind when it comes to academics, “my father works in finance and it’s a big part of my everyday life. Therefore I am interested in studying finance but based on the area of my mother’s profession and my interest I am looking forward to broaden my knowledge of psychology and human behavior.”
Finally upon achieving his goal of getting an NCAA DI opportunity Funtek acknowledged those that have helped him reach his goal saying, “I would like to thank God, my parents and my whole family. I would also like to thank my advisor, my Head Coach Cody Campbell who guided me through this process, all the coaches and teammates in my past and present who helped me and formed me to be the player I am today and all the people who helped me along the way without whom I wouldn’t be here today.”
In a weird quirk of the schedule Funtek and the rest of the Tauros are off this week and next, they return to the ice on October 6th for the Home Opener against the Aberdeen Wings. Tickets for that game and all Tauros games are available through the “Tickets” tab atop this page or by visiting tickets.minotauroshockey.com.