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.
History 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.
Season-by-season records
Season GP W L OTL PTS GF GA PIM Finish Playoffs 2011–12 60 7 49 4 18 104 252 1,313 5th of 5, Central28th of 28, NAHLDid not qualify 2012–13 60 26 30 4 56 157 186 1,284 4th of 6, Centralt-16th of 24, NAHLLost Div. Semifinal series, 1–3 vs. Austin Bruins 2013–14 60 24 33 3 51 130 165 797 4th of 5, Central19th of 24, NAHLLost Div. Semifinal series, 1–3 vs. Austin Bruins 2014–15 60 37 17 6 80 184 137 856 2nd of 5, Central7th of 24, NAHLWon Div. Semifinal series, 3–0 vs. Bismarck BobcatsLost Div. Final series, 2–3 vs. Austin Bruins 2015–16 60 35 19 6 76 185 158 1106 2nd of 6, Centralt-6th of 22, NAHLLost Div. Semifinal series, 1–3 vs. Austin Bruins 2016–17 60 38 18 4 80 192 156 1137 1st of 6, Central5th of 24, NAHLLost Div. Semifinal series, 1–3 vs. Aberdeen Wings 2017–18 60 28 26 6 62 161 168 839 4th of 6, Central16th of 23, NAHLWon Div. Semifinal series, 3–2 vs. Aberdeen WingsWon Div. Final series, 3–0 vs. Austin Bruins,Won Robertson Cup Semifinals, 2–1 vs. Fairbanks Ice DogsLost Robertson Cup Championship game, 1–2 vs. Shreveport Mudbugs 2018–19 60 36 21 3 75 207 161 943 2nd of 6, Centralt-6th of 24, NAHLWon Div. Semifinal series, 3–0 vs. Bismarck BobcatsLost Div. Final series, 1–3 vs. Aberdeen Wings 2019–20 50 27 16 7 61 192 171 622 4th of 6, Central12th of 23, NAHL Season cancelled 2020–21 56 23 25 8 54 150 199 972 t-3rd of 6, Centralt-12th of 23, NAHLLost Div. Semifinal series, 2–3 vs. Aberdeen Wings 2021–22 60 28 29 3 59 173 184 1082 5th of 6, Centralt-20th of 29, NAHLDid not qualify 2022–23 60 31 27 2 64 180 189 843 t-3rd of 6, Centralt-17th of 29, NAHLLost Div. Semifinal series, 0–3 vs. Austin Bruins 2023–24 60 44 14 2 90 208 125 919 1st of 6, Central2nd of 32, NAHL Won Div. Semifinal series, 3-0 vs. Austin Bruins Won Div. Final series, 3-1 vs. Bismarck Bobcats Lost Robertson Semis, 0-2 vs. Maryland Black Bears 2024–25 42 32 9 1 65 160 72 574 2nd of 8, Central3rd of 35, NAHLLost Div. Semifinal series, 2-3 vs. Austin Bruins 2025–26 59 23 31 5 51 173 221 1026 7th of 8, Central29th of 34, NAHL Did not qualify
Notable alumni The Minotauros have helped over 150 players move on to the NCAA level of play. The most notable alumni is Blake Lizotte of the Pittsburgh Penguins 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).
References
External links Official website of the Minotauros Official website of the NAHL Official website of Maysa Arena