Minot, ND – The Minot Minotauros are proud to announce that Minot native and Tauro Alum Mason Morelli has signed a two year deal with the Las Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL. Morelli played for the Minotauros during the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons; he most recently played for the AHL Champion Hershey Bears.
After leaving the Tauros after the 2013 playoffs Morelli took a long route to the NHL. He finished his junior career with the Fargo Force before heading to the University of Nebraska-Omaha to play four seasons of NCAA DI hockey. While there Morelli earned the Captaincy for his senior year and did not disappoint posting 19 goals and 15 assists in 36 games.
He would still have to prove himself with five season of professional hockey starting with nine games with the Stockton Heat after finishing his senior year at UNO. Two more seasons would see Morelli fail to post double digit points in the AHL but he broke through in a big way in his fourth season posting 33 pints in 68 contests for the Washington Capitals farm team the Hershey Bears. He would follow that up with 41 points last season for Hershey adding 13 more in 20 playoff games that culminated in the Calder Cup Championship.
Now Morelli has the opportunity to realize his dream of playing in the NHL with defending Stanley Cup Champion Knights. When he does suite-up for Vegas he will become the third Minotauro Alum to skate in the NHL behind Blake Lizotte (L.A. Kings) and Jon Lizotte (Minnesota Wild).
Tauro fans may be able to catch a glimpse of Morelli this week as he intends to drop by Minotauros Main Camp which runs Wednesday through Saturday on the Eck Rink at the Maysa Arena. All sessions are open to fans with no admission charge.