Lincoln Erne is set to play NCAA Division I college, as the Minot Minotauros defenseman announced his commitment to Canisius College on Monday.

The decision marks the 42nd Minotauros player in the last seven seasons to move on to the Division I level. Erne has recorded 52 points on nine goals and 43 assists in his two seasons with Minot and had his strong play recognized when he earned a spot on the Central Division team at the 2019 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament on Feb. 18-19.

Now the defenseman will be heading to Buffalo, New York, to be a part of the Griffins.

“It felt like a great fit for hockey and for my academics,” Erne said in a press release. “I felt a good connection with the coaches and there is so much opportunity.”

Erne has played a key role in the Minotauros’ run to the postseason this year. The team is the Central Division No. 2 seed, and it’ll host Central Division No. 3-seeded Bismarck Bobcats on Friday to start a best-of-five game series.

“(Erne) has all the tools that people look for in a defenseman,” Minotauros head coach and general manager Marty Murray said. “He’s big, block shots, plays all situations and has been a big part of our back end for two season.”

But the Minotauros aren’t the only beneficiaries in the relationship between them and Erne. The defenseman points to his time in Minot as a key step in his journey to playing Division I hockey.

“Being a Tauro and a part of the Minot community has helped me immensely over these past two years,” Erne said. “I’ve grown so much as a person and a player, and I can’t thank this organization and community enough.”

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