NAHL Minot Minotauros

Tauros Add 13 Players Through Draft

Published on June 3, 2014 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Minot Minotauros News Release


Minot, ND - Coming off of two consecutive weekends on the road watching players at pre-draft camps after spending the winter and spring scouting the Minotauros coaching staff was ready for today's NAHL Entry Draft. With 13 picks overall Marty Murray and co. were ready to bolster a roster that took the Austin Bruins to three overtimes before finally being eliminated from the post-season.

Using a balanced approached, the Tauros coaching staff selected 13 players, and left the draft happy with the results. Overall the team added eight forwards, four defensemen, and a goaltender; selecting five players with junior hockey experience, seven from the high school ranks, and one who played AAA Midget.

In the first round of the draft the Tauros took Mitchell Snyder sixth overall. While Snyder posted only one assist in 19 games with the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers last season he has shown the ability to produce before in the NAHL posting 18 goals and 17 assists for a total of 35 points two seasons ago with the Fresno Monsters.

Second round pick Lucas Debenedet lead the SIJHL in scoring last season posting 112 points during the regular season. The Tauros' third round selection Patrick Gazzillo is another USHL player who has shown the ability to produce in the NAHL as he had 10 points and a +20 rating for the Soo Eagles two seasons ago. Chaise Howard, the Minotauros' fourth round pick is a former teammate of current Tauro Troy Degeler. The duo combined for 24 goals and 54 assists when playing together two seasons ago in Florida.

Two draft picks with familiar names for Tauros fans are local products Mason Morelli and Quinn Fuchs. Morelli played last season in the USHL with the Fargo Force posting 15 points. The season before he was tied for third in scoring on the Tauros and was a key piece of the leagues sixth ranked power play with seven goals and nine assists while up a man. Fuchs just finished his senior year at Minot High and posted 68 points in just 27 games. After the high school season ended Fuchs was able to join the Tauros for a look getting in the final four games of the season and posting two assists against the Brookings Blizzard.

For a full list of the Tauros 13 draft picks see below.

1st Round: Mitchell Snyder - Forward - Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)

6'0" 193 lbs Colorado Springs, C2 19 gp 0g-1a-1p

2nd Round: Lucas Debenedet - Forward - Fort Frances Lakers (SIJHL)

5'9" 165 lbs International Falls, MN 69 gp 51g-73a-124p

3rd Round: Patrick Gazzillo - Defenseman - Lincoln Stars (USHL)

5'8" 181 lbs Crown Point, C2 31 gp 0g-0a-0p

4th Round: Chaise Howard - Forward - Florida Jr. Blades (USPHL)

6'1" 175 lbs Estero, A0 39 gp 18g-24a-42p

5th Round: Luke Davison - Defenseman - Notre Dame Academy (WIHS)

5'11" 180 lbs De Pere, A0 17 gp 3g-7a-10p

6th Round: John Snodgrass - Forward - Eastview High School (MNHS)

5'10" 165 27 gp 16g-15a-31p

7th Round: Mason Morelli - Forward - Fargo Force (USHL)

5'11" 185 lbs Minot, A0 57 gp 6g-9a-15p

8th Round: Bryan Abell - Goaltender - Chicago Fury (Tier 1 Elite)

6'0" 165 lbs Milford, A0 19 gp 2.72 gaa .890 sv%

9th Round: Quinn Fuchs - Forward - Minot High School (NDHS)

5'8" 175 lbs Minot, ND 27 gp 24g-44a-68p

10th Round: Matt Olson - Defenseman - Totino Grace HS (MNHS)

6'0" 225 lbs Fridley, A0 31 gp 4g-6a-10p

11th Round: Joey Marooney - Forward - Holy Family HS (MNHS)

5'11" 175 lbs Eden Prairie, C2 27gp 20g-30a-50p

12th Round: Brett Gravelle - Forward - Forest Lake HS (MNHS)

5'11" 165 lbs Forest Lake, C2 26gp 30g-17a-47p

13th Round: Jake Dittle - Defenseman - White Bear Lake HS (MNHS)

5'10" 170 lbs White Bear Lake, C2 27gp 4g-34a-38p

Check out the Minot Minotauros Statistics



North American Hockey League Stories from June 3, 2014


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