By: Ken Oda, minotauroshockey.com
Photo Credit: Jamie Goebel, minotauroshockey.com
Minot, ND – The Minot Minotauros are proud to announce that forward Reid Stefanson has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey for the River Hawks of the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Stefanson becomes the 24th Tauro to commit to play NCAA DI hockey over the last five and a half seasons.
Through 40 games in his rookie season with the Tauros Stefanson has amassed 15 goals and 19 assists for 34 points along with a +16 rating. Prior to committing to U-Mass Lowell Stefanson was slated to represent the Tauros at the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament but will now be replaced on the All-Star team by Tauros forward Zack Bross.
Tauros Head Coach and General Manager Marty Murray explained the process of Stefanson selecting Lowell, “Reid’s strong play this year has garnered attention from several DI schools. He narrowed it down to 3-5 schools. He went on a visit to Lowell and fell in love with it.” Murray continued by praising Stefanson; “Reid appealed to DI programs because of his hockey sense and ability to make plays, he has established himself as an elite player not just in our division but in the league as a whole.”
As for Reid himself he explained why he decided to commit to UMass Lowell: “I felt like it was a better fit for me, it’s a little bigger school than the other schools I looked at and they have a good track record for winning over the last few years. I really like the coaching staff, their head coach [Norm Bazin] is a Manitoba guy and their assistant coach [Andy Jones] has been really supportive through the entire process.” Stefanson was quick to credit those who have helped him reach his goal saying, “I want to thank my family and friends back home and the new ones here in Minot who have supported me the last 19 years. Also my coaches and teammates along the way, especially here in Minot, Marty Murray and Nigel Dube, who helped get me here.”
Stefanson is the first Tauro this season to commit to an NCAA DI school. He is the fourth Tauro from this season to have commit overall as current Tauros Alex Adams (Air Force), Tyler Jeanson (Colgate), and former Tauro Eric Dop (Bowling Green) were already committed before the year began.