By: Ken Oda, gotauros.com
Minot, ND – The Minot Minotauros are proud to announce that defenseman Nolan Sawchuk was named to the All-Central Division Team as well as the winner of the Central Division Leadership Award. Sawchuk, a second year Tauro, has 6 goals and 56 assists in 115 career games played. Sawchuk also has a +41 rating, which is the best in franchise history. After this season Sawchuk will be heading to play NCAA DI hockey for UMass-Lowell.
Sawchuk was quick to credit others for his success saying it, “means a lot to receive these awards, couldn’t have done it without my teammates and coaching staff supporting me. It’s fun to come to the rink every day and play with this great group of guys.”
Tauros head coach Marty Murray could not say enough about Sawchuk, “Nolan Sawchuk both on and off the ice has been a great player for us for two years. Played a huge roll as a rookie and evolved from there. He’s a real leader both on and off the ice. From a coach’s stand point he is zero maintenance and you know what you’re going to get from him night in and night out. We’re lucky to have him here for two years.”
Aside from Sawchuk’s strong play Murray praised Sawchuk’s lead by example style, “he brings so much to the team, he sharpens skates, cleans the locker room, he’s more valuable than people know to our hockey club.” As for his leadership style Sawchuk said, “I try to be someone who leads by example on and off the ice. I have worked this year on being more of a vocal leader as well, trying to have fun while still getting work done on the ice.”
Sawchuk summed up his two seasons in Minot by praising the team, city, and fan; “To be a tauro these past two years has been a great experience from the great organization to the community support. It’s easy to play hard for a community and organization that gives us so much in return and for that I am thankful.”
Sawchuk still has some work to do as a Tauro before moving on to the college ranks; the Tauros currently hold a two-games-to-none advantage on the Austin Bruins in the Central Division Finals. The Central Cup will be in the Pepsi Rink at Maysa Arena on Friday night as the Tauros look to win the division crown and advance to the Robertson Cup Final Four for the first time in franchise history. Tickets for Friday’s game are available now through the “Tickets” tab atop this page.