Minot, ND – The 2018-19 Minotauros have just five practices under their belt but tonight and tomorrow they face their first test as a team, a home-and-home series against the rival Bismarck Bobcats. For the returning players there is already a deep understanding of the rivalry, for the new guys it will be their first taste of one of the most bitter rivalries in the sport.
With 12 players from last year’s playoff roster returning the battles for the final 13 roster spots to start the season will be fierce. A truncated preseason with five games over ten days will show the coaches not just who can play, but who can battle through the mental and physical hurdles of the long NAHL season. The Tauros (and all NAHL teams) have to be down to 23 players by October 1st, the Tauros coaches plan to be down to roughly 25 for the NAHL Showcase. That means six of the players in camp heading into the preseason run will have to go before the Tauros open the regular season September 19th against the Northeast Generals at the NAHL Showcase in Blaine, MN.
Aside from fighting for a roster spot, some of the veteran Tauros will be looking to show that they have what it takes to replace the Tauros former Captains group as, Alex Adams, Nolan Sawchuk, Grant Loven, and Michael Talbot have all moved on to college.
Tickets for tomorrow night’s preseason game on the Pepsi Rink at Maysa Arena are just $5 and can be purchased through the “Tickets” tab atop this page. Both Friday and Saturday’s game will be on HockeyTV.com. Saturday the Minotauros Booster Club will kick off tail-gate festivities at 5:00, all are welcome, click here for info. Sunday the Tauros will be in Oak Park to support the Taube Museum and their inaugural “Run With the Bulls Fun Run.” Come out to meet the team, take pictures with Tank and more!