Roster Update 2-2-22

Feb 2, 2022

Minot, ND – With the NAHL trade deadline looming Head Coach and General Manager Cody Campbell has struck multiple deals to improve the Tauros roster.

First to shore up the blueline the Tauros added Jack Kircher from the Chippewa Steel.  The Tauros will be Kircher’s third NAHL team this season having started with the Jamestown Rebels before joining the Steel.  Despite playing for two teams that have been outscored by 30 goals combined Kircher is +3 on the season through 31 games.  At 6‘3” and 197 lbs. the 2002 birth year defenseman Kircher adds size to the Tauro blue line and is eligible to return next season. To make room for Kircher the Tauros traded Desmond Johnson to Odessa for an unsigned tender for next season.

The second player the Tauros acquired is goaltender Lassi Lehti, from the expansion El Paso Rhinos, in exchange for defenseman Blake Arneson and an unsigned tender for next seaosn.  Lehti, a 2001 birth year is in his final season of junior hockey and his first in the NAHL after playing last season in his native Finland.  Lehti has posted a 10-12-3 record on the season, the Rhinos are 3-9-0 in games the goaltender did not play.  Overall he has posted a 2.89 GAA and .920 SV%.  Lehti also committed to the University of Alaska-Fairbanks this week.  With the addition of Lehti, Carter Clafton was traded to Amarillo in exchange for conditional future assets.

“The entire Tauros Staff would like to thank Carter, Blake, and Desmond for their time in Minot and wish the best of luck with their new organizations” Said Tauros Head Coach and General Manager Cody Campbell.  He continued, “Lassi Lehti is a big strong competitive goalie that consistently gives his team a chance to win. Jack Kircher is a hard-nosed reliable D that will add to our size and heaviness on the back end.”

Both Kircher and Lehti will join the Tauros immediately and be ready to play in this weekend’s games against Aberdeen.  Friday night is the Tauros Early Valentine’s Night with the first 1,000 fans getting a ring, one of which will be a real diamond ring from Knowles Jewelry.  Then Saturday is Liberty Tax Super Hero Night, fans are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite Super Hero as we honor of the memory of our honorary captain Grantley Johnson.  Tickets for both games are available through the “Tickets” tab atop this page or by clicking here.