The Minot Minotauros (commonly known as the Tauros) are a Tier II junior ice hockey team playing in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). Based in Minot, North Dakota, the Tauros play their home games at Maysa Arena.[2][3]

Minot Minotauros
CityMinot, North Dakota
LeagueNorth American Hockey League
DivisionCentral
Founded2011
Home arenaMaysa Arena
ColorsCardinal Red, Cream, Old Gold, Black, and White
         
General managerCody Campbell
Head coachCody Campbell[1]
MediaKMOT Minot Daily News
Franchise history
2011–presentMinot Minotauros

History

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The Tauros are Minot's fifth hockey team, following the El Paso/Minot Raiders of the Southwest Hockey League in 1975–76 and then as the Minot Rangers for the 1976–77 season, the Minot Maple Leafs of the Continental Hockey League for the 1985–86 season, the Minot Americans/Top Guns of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League from 1987 to 1997, and the Minot Muskies, which played in the America West Hockey League for the 2000–01 season.[4]

Season-by-season records

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Season GP W L OTL PTS GF GA PIM Finish Playoffs
2011–12 60 7 49 4 18 104 252 1,313 5th, Central Did not qualify
2012–13 60 26 30 4 56 157 186 1,284 4th, Central Lost Round 1, 1–3 vs. Austin Bruins
2013–14 60 24 33 3 51 130 165 797 4th, Central Lost Div. Semifinals, 1–3 vs. Austin Bruins
2014–15 60 37 17 6 80 184 137 856 2nd, Central Won Round 1, 3–0 vs. Bismarck Bobcats
Lost Quarterfinals, 2–3 vs. Austin Bruins
2015–16 60 35 19 6 76 185 158 1106 2nd, Central Lost Div. Semifinals, 1–3 vs. Austin Bruins
2016–17 60 38 18 4 80 192 156 1137 1st, Central Lost Div. Semifinals, 1–3 vs. Aberdeen Wings
2017–18 60 28 26 6 62 161 168 839 4th, Central Won div. semifinals, 3–2 vs. Aberdeen Wings
Won Div. Finals, 3–0 vs. Austin Bruins,
Won Robertson Cup Semifinals, 2–1 vs. Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Lost Robertson Cup Championship game, 1–2 vs. Shreveport Mudbugs
2018–19 60 36 21 3 75 207 161 943 2nd, Central Won Div. Semifinals, 3–0 vs. Bismarck Bobcats
Lost Division Finals, 1–3 vs. Aberdeen Wings
2019–20 50 27 16 7 61 192 171 622 4th, Central Season cancelled
2020–21 56 23 25 8 54 150 199 972 4th, Central Lost Div. Semifinals, 2–3 vs. Aberdeen Wings
2021–22 60 28 29 3 59 173 184 1082 5th of 6, Central
21st of 29, NAHL
Did not qualify
2022–23 60 31 27 2 64 180 189 843 4th of 6, Central
17th of 29, NAHL
Lost Div. Semifinals, 0–3 vs. Austin Bruins
2023-24 60 44 14 2 90 208 125 919 1st of 6 Cental, 2nd of 32 NAHL Won Div. Semi-Finals, 3-0 vs. Austin Bruins
Won Div. Finals, 3-1 vs. Bismarck Bobcats
Lost Robertson Cup Semis, 0-2 vs. Maryland Black Bears

Notable alumni

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The Minotauros have helped over 150 players move on to the NCAA level of play. The most notable alumni is Blake Lizotte of the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL. Other notable alumni of the program include Jon Lizotte (St. Cloud State, Wilkes Barre Scranton Penguins), Mason Morelli(University of Nebraska, Omaha,Hershey Bears, Henderson Silver Knights, Vegas Golden Knights) Johnny Walker (Arizona State, Utah Grizzlies) and Kyle Kukkonen (Michigan Tech, Anaheim Ducks).

Playoffs

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  • 2012
First Round - Austin Bruins defeated Minot Minotauros 3-games-to-1
  • 2013
First Round - Austin Bruins defeated Minot Minotauros 3-games-to-1
  • 2014
First Round - Minot Minotauros deafted Bismarck Bobcats 3-games-to-0
Second Round - Austin Bruins defeated Minot Minotauros 3-games-to-2
  • 2015
First Round - Austin Bruins defeated Minot Minotauros 3-games-to-1
  • 2016
First Round: - Aberdeen Wings defeated Minot Minotauros 3-games-to-1
  • 2017
First Round: - Minot Minotauros defeated Aberdeen Wings 3-games-to-2
Second Round: - Minot Minotauros defeated Austin Bruins 3-games-to-0
Robertson Cup Semi-Finals: - Minot Minotauros defeated Fairbanks Ice Dogs 2-games-to-1
Robertson Cup Championship: - Shreveport Mudbugs defeated Minot Minotauros 2-1
  • 2018
First Round: - Minot Minotauros defeated Bismarck Bobcats 3-games-to-0
Second Round: - Aberdeen Wings defeated Minot Minotauros 3-games-to-1
  • 2020
First Round: - Aberdeen Wings defeated Minot Minotauros 3-games-to-2
  • 2022
First Round: - Austin Bruins defeated Minot Minotauros 3-games-to-0
  • 2023
First Round: - Minot Minotauros defeated Austin Bruins 3-games-to-0
Second Round: - Minot Minotauros defeated Bismarck Bobcats 3-games-to-1

References

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  1. ^ "Minotauros announce coaching change". NAHL. September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  2. ^ "NAHL Approves Minot, North Dakota Membership". North American Hockey League. 2011-03-28. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
  3. ^ Bieri, Chris (2011-03-29). "NAHL announces expansion into Minot". Minot Daily News. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
  4. ^ "NAHL adds Minot, ND, team starting next season". CBS Minnesota. 2011-03-29. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
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