By: Ken Oda, minotauroshockey.com
Minot, ND – The Minot Minotauros are proud to announce that forward Matt Jennings and defenseman Sam Fuss have been named to the NAHL Central Division All-Rookie Team. This is the second season in a row that the Tauros have two players on the Central Division All-Rookie Team following Blake Lizotte and Casey Johnson last season. To be eligible for the All-Rookie Team players must be playing their first season of junior hockey at any level.
Fuss posted 3 goals, 15 assists and a +17 rating while appearing in 54 games for the Tauros this season. Jennings, who was acquired via trade from Topeka on January 25th, posted 7 goals, 8 assists, and a +7 rating in 15 games for the Tauros. In total on the season Jennings had 15 goals and 25 assists in 44 games between Minot and Topeka.
Minotauros Head Coach Marty Murray praised both players:
“We are very proud to have both Sam and Matt selected to the Central Divisions all rookie team. Both players played important roles in our success this season, and were enjoyable to watch develop as the season progressed.
Sam, is a player you love to have on your team. Although he's a little undersized, his compete level is off the charts. Sam continually blocked shots all season long, and quickly became a "go-to" guy on the PK because of it. Sam also has very good hockey instincts, and is smart with the puck and body position. Besides that, he's loved by his teammates and earned their respect very early in the season.
Matt joined us in the second half of the season, and became a major contributor right away. His vision and hockey sense make those around him better and it's no surprise that Dartmouth committed him to their program.
Both of these players have bright futures ahead of them.”
Fuss and Jennings are among 16 Minotauros eligible to return to Minot next season. The NAHL will be announcing Divisional Awards on Wednesday and league-wide awards on Thursday. Stay tuned to minotauroshockey.com for Tauros news throughout the off-season.