Minot, North Dakota Hockey Player Scores In NHL Debut

Former Minot Magician Mason Morelli just did what all NHL players dream of...

Here's how it happened for Morelli.

It all started with Morelli winning the draw in the San Jose Sharks zone late in the first period on Monday, February 19th.  Mason worked the puck back to the defensemen on the faceoff, and after a couple of tape-to-tape passes, Morelli found himself with the puck in the slot and fired a one-timer past the Sharks goalie.  It really was a beautiful goal and a perfect way to kick off an NHL career.

Mason Morelli's long road to the NHL hasn't been an easy one.

Morelli is a 28-year-old rookie which is rather old for most players who make their National Hockey League debut.

Mason started his hockey career playing youth hockey in Minot, North Dakota followed by playing one season of high school hockey for the Minot High School Magicians back in 2011-2012.  Morelli would then go to play AAA hockey in Colorado, followed by four seasons playing junior hockey for the Minot, Minatauros, and the Fargo Force, then college hockey at Nebraska Omaha, and then 6 long seasons in the minors in the ECHL and AHL.

Morelli is expected to play again tonight as the Vegas Golden Knights entertain the Nashville Predators in Las Vegas.

Congrats to this North Dakota athlete who truly did something extraordinary.