mfoster Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 I guess it's okay to refer to the mascot in the Greek with the addition of the -os at the end, though I don't think there are many Greeks in the wilds of North Dakota...http://www.nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=2545NAHL approves Minot, North Dakota membershipMarch 28, 2011FRISCO, TEXAS - The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced that its Board of Governors has accepted the membership application for an expansion team in Minot, North Dakota.The team, which will be named the Minotauros (Tauros), will begin play in the 2011-12 season and play their home games in the existing main rink of Maysa Arena, presently a twin-sheet complex being expanded to become a multi-purpose facility with three ice surfaces."We couldn't be happier to welcome the Tauros to our league," said NAHL commissioner Mark Frankenfeld. "Minot is a great addition to our Central Division footprint and, behind a sound, hockey-savvy ownership group committed to both the local community and player development, the Tauros represent everything the NAHL stands for, both on and off the ice."The Tauros are owned by Heavy Metal Hockey Inc. (HMH) and PlayForward Sports Group Inc. - two companies focused on furthering the development and training of hockey players and all-round athletes.Benjamin J. Johnson, president of HMH, will serve as the team's head coach and general manager.Johnson boasts an impressive resume both as a player and a coach, having guided the prestigious Shattuck-St. Mary's prep school to back-to-back national championships in addition to coaching in Europe.A Duluth, Minn., native, Johnson skated for Duluth East High School before playing junior hockey in the United States Hockey League. He also played two seasons in the Western Hockey League - he competed for a Memorial Cup championship with the Spokane Chiefs in 1998 - and won a gold medal as a player with Team USA at the 2007 Deaf Olympics."We're very excited to join a premier league and re-establish a junior hockey presence in Minot," said Johnson. "We share the NAHL's commitment to excellence, both on the ice and in the classroom."Our top priority is producing further opportunities for players to develop their skills, advance to the next level and, ultimately, become future leaders in their respective communities."Marty Murray, Jarrod Olson, Terry Dunbar and Jason Blackburn - all of whom are committed to the team's developmental philosophy and bring a solid work ethic and strong leadership skills to the organization - round out the Tauros coaching contingent."We're excited with the staff we have in place," said Johnson. "All of our coaches have a tremendous amount of experience in the game and are well respected in the hockey community."Minot is no stranger to junior hockey. In 2000-01, the Minot Muskies played in the America West Hockey League, which merged with the NAHL in 2003. In its only season, the team fashioned a 38-18-4 record and averaged over 1,700 fans a game in attendance.From 1994-97, the Minot Top Guns were members of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League."There's such a rich hockey history in Minot, especially junior hockey," said Frankenfeld. "Behind the experience and leadership of Ben Johnson and the rest of the Tauros' ownership group and coaching staff, we expect that tradition to flourish again for years to come."The Tauros are the second NAHL team to call North Dakota home, along with the Bismarck Bobcats. The close geographic proximity of the Aberdeen Wings and Alexandria Blizzard also benefits the participating student-athletes from a travel perspective while generating more rivalries within the Central Division."Our entry into the NAHL is sure to bring even more entertainment to the passionate fans in an already-competitive division and provides an exciting brand of hockey for the league's newest community," said Johnson.Minot also showcases a thriving youth hockey system with 500 players participating in its various programs. As a community-based organization, the Tauros are eager to work closely with players, coaches and families with the goal of seeing many local prospects skating for the Tauros in the not-too-distant future."The aspirations of the Minotauros organization is to have Minot become the destination of choice for all prospective hockey players who are looking for an organization to grow with and the opportunity of advancing to the next level," said Johnson.For more information on the Minotauros, visit MinotaurosHockey.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeh-see Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 Great, original name with lots of logo potential but definitely poorly executed on paper IMO.UniJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee. Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 For the NAHL, or even most minor league entities, it's not that bad. Welcome to DrunjFlix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefly Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 I keep seeing the diminutive 'Tauros in press release but are they officially the Minot Minotauros or just Minotauros? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJM Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 Taste the Beast! (MLF) Chicago Cannons,  (IHA) Phoenix Firebirds - 2021 Xtreme Cup Champions (WAFL) Phoenix Federals - WAFL World Bowl XII Champions (Defunct) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hockey week Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 definitely a lot of potential. It's cartoony, but a lot of teams at that level are. I seriously hope the M logo worn by the minotaur is the secondary logo. after a few years, that should definitely be the primary crest; it's simple, understated, and yet conveys what it needs to (well, once you know that the "Minotauros" exist, anyways) I'll respect any opinion that you can defend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DustDevil61 Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 For the NAHL, or even most minor league entities, it's not that bad.Agreed. It's pretty good for its level, and it's also unique. There needs to be more mythical figures/creatures used in sports.I also like the play on words--both the city and the team name begin with "Minot." So what if Minot, ND doesn't have much of a Greek history? If I could name a team in St. George, UT, for example, "Dragons" would be an excellent name (despite the fact that an Australian Rugby team already has the name, with "Illawarra" added on there, as well), though there's little in the city that has to do with medieval or Asian dragons (unless you consider lizards and the like dragons). There needs to be a few more nicknames that play off the name of the city. AKA @LanRovr0 on Twitter LED Sig Credits to packerfan21396 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omnivore Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 Better than a generic name with a logo stolen from here or worse, designed by the team doctor's kid using Paint. NCFA-FCS/CBB: Minnesota A&M | RANZBA (OOTP): Auckland Warriors | USA: Front Range United | IFA: Toverit Helsinki | FOBL: Kentucky Juggernaut Minnesota A&M 2012 National Champions 2013 National Finalist, 2014 National Semi-finals 2012, 2013, 2014 Big 4 Conference Champions  Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yh Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 Sorry, but when I think "Greek bovine" I think "cheeborger, cheeborger, cheeborger!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NatsFan2004 Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 I'm not sure what's wrong with 'Minot Minotaurs'. To me, that flows off the tongue better than "Minotauros". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hockey week Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 I'm not sure what's wrong with 'Minot Minotaurs'. To me, that flows off the tongue better than "Minotauros".I have a hunch, based on how they're already using the abbreviated name of "Tauros" in the unveiling, that they're going to be using it as the Minot Tauros (rather than Minotauros), and probably thought "tauros" sounds better than "taurs" for chants, casual references, and even merchandise. simply a way to get a two-syllable nickname. Just a thought. who knows, maybe whoever owns the copyrights to Minotaurs was being difficult and this was their way around it. I'll respect any opinion that you can defend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee. Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 They're not actually expecting people to pronounce it all as "Minot Toros," are they? Welcome to DrunjFlix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwi_canadian Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 On that same note of new teams in the league, the Owatonna Express are moving to Odessa, Texas and will play as the Odessa Jackalopes. Does this mean the Jackalopes from the Central hockey League are no more? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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