Minot, ND – The Minot Minotauros are proud to announce that forward Hunter Longhi has committed to NCAA DI American International College (A.I.C.). becoming the 94th Minotauro to commit to an NCAA DI program. Longhi also becomes the first Tauro to commit to A.I.C. while playing for the Tauros, both Aaron Grounds and Jake Rosenbaum are currently playing there.
The competitive forward pointed to the program’s success as the main reason he was eager to go there; “winning is something I value highly and that’s something they do a lot.” The Yellow Jackets have been the regular season Atlantic Hockey conference champions each of the last four seasons, three of which they won their conference tournament earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Longhi believes being a Tauro will help him step right into A.I.C.’s winning culture, “The mindset of being a winner comes with being a Tauro helped me a lot. Showing up and being prepared to be your best every day is the feeling I’ve gained from joining this organization.”
Tauros Head Coach and General Manager Cody Campbell agrees, “We believe AIC is getting a player that is going to make an impact immediately on the ice and a person that will add to the strength of the campus community. Hunter came here in an off season trade, and fully bought into our culture and process and his work ethic, leadership and consistent play have rewarded him with a fantastic opportunity to be a student athlete at AIC.”
That buy-in by Longhi has paid off as he is currently tied with Nick O’Hanisain for the Tauros team lead with 15 points through 13 games played, which is also good for ninth overall in the NAHL. Longhi’s team high 10 assists are good for seventh overall in the league. Overall in his NAHL career Longhi has posted 141 points in 164 games played over the last four seasons.
Once on campus Longhi says he is, “planning to study Sports management,” and added that aside from hockey he likes that A.I.C. is a “a smaller school, where everyone knows everyone else on campus.”
Finally, Longhi is thankful for the support he has had throughout his career saying, “The Tauros. Anyone who has ever believed in me and helped me get here. My coaches, my teammates, and my family/friends. I thank my parents the most, everything they’ve ever done has either been for me, or for my best interest.”
Longhi and the rest of the Tauros return to the ice this Friday in Bismarck (tickets) before coming back to the Pepsi Rink at Maysa Arena on Saturday night against the same Bobcats (tickets). Saturday’s game against Bismarck is also a last chance to donated to the Circle Sanitation “Fill-the-Bin” coat drive; fans are encouraged to bring a new or gently used winter clothing item to donate to those in need in the Minot area.