Blaine, MN – The Minot Minotauros enter their eighth season in franchise history facing a new standard for success set by last year’s team. The 2017-18 Tauros ultimately fell just one game shy of their goal but elevated the Tauros into the National Championship conversation for the first time. Now it is incumbent on this group, the 2018-19 Tauros to build off of that success.
If there is an upside to losing in the National Championship Game it is that the Tauros who return from last year’s roster are hungry. Twelve players who were on last season’s playoff roster return for this season. That does not include last March’s hero Nick Grabko who played in eight of the final 10 games of the regular season as the Tauros pushed to clinch the league’s final playoff spot. The Tauros coaching and scouting staffs have supported the returning core with an impressive group. Six of the Tauros draft picks have made the roster and turned heads in the preseason. (See the full roster here)
The group will face their first test of the season tonight, with a prime-time game at the NAHL Showcase against the Northeast Generals. The Tauros have never met the Generals whom are entering their third season in the NAHL. The Gens rebound from a disastrous first season in which they won just four games to qualify for the playoffs last year with a 29 win season. Like the Tauros, the Generals return twelve players from last year’s playoff roster and will be playing their first game of the season.
Puck drop tonight is at 7:00 p.m. Central time on Rink One of the Schwan Super Rink and the Tauros will be the designated road team. Ken Oda will be on the call on the Minotauros Network, pay-per-view video on www.hockeytv.com, free audio at www.minotauroshockey.com/listen-live, and for those in the Minot area radio on AM 1390 KRRZ. For live in game updates and to interact with the broadcast follow the Tauros on twitter at www.twitter.com/MinotauroHockey.