Minot Minotauros defenseman Connor Thue will play college hockey at Hamilton College, a Division III program located in upstate New York, the hockey club announced on Wednesday, Aug. 20.

Thue is the sixth Tauro to make an NCAA commitment this month, joining Ian Spencer (Trinity). Gavin Middendorf (Wisconsin-River Falls), Jack O’Hanisain (Adrian), Jordan Gibbs (Wisconsin-Superior), and Landon Fleming (St. Norbert).

The Manhattan Beach, Calif., native is going even further from home to join the Continentals and the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC). Hamilton is coming off its best season in program history, winning a record 21 games, winning its third regular season conference title and first since the 2016-17 season, the NESCAC tournament title for the first time ever and earning a spot in the NCAA tournament for just the second time.

Thue played one season with the Tauros, registering 10 points on three goals and seven assists from the blue line. He played in 57 of 59 games.

Prep Football: Velva/Drake-Anamoose/Garrison tops Class A preseason media poll

Defending champion Velva/Drake-Anamoose/Garrison enters the 2025 season as the top team in Class A, as the Aggies received 12 of 16 first-place votes in the preseason media poll released on Thursday, Aug. 21.

V/D-A/G is coming off an 11-1 year in which it won its second state title in three years. The Aggies open their season at home against Class A newcomer Valley City, which is dropping down from Class AA.

Langdon Area/Munich received three first-place votes and are ranked No. 2. Dickinson Trinity, Ellendale/Edgeley/Kulm and Bishop Ryan/Our Redeemer’s rounded out the top five. E/E/K picked up the last remaining first-place vote. Other teams receiving votes in the first media poll were Harvey/Wells County, Shiloh Christian, Killdeer, Carrington, Ray/Powers Lake, May-Port/CG, Central McLean, Thompson and Oakes.

Also topping the media poll this week was LaMoure-Litchville/Marion, which received nine of 16 first-place votes in the 9-man rankings. New Rockford-Sheyenne received the remaining seven first-place votes and were ranked No. 2. NR-S defeated L-L-M in last year’s state title game.

North Border, Linton/HMB, and Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood rounded out the top five, with Grand County/Flasher, Hankinson and Westhope-Newburg/Glenburn also receiving votes.