If you're ever in or around Minot, North Dakota and you're wanting your hockey fix, make sure you head to a Minot State Beavers game and that's where you'll catch former Swan Valley Stampeder Connor Navrot.
The 21-year-old from Martensville, Saskatchewan recently committed to the Beavers hockey team.
"Throughout my hockey career I always wanted to play college hockey," said Navrot. "I feel like there's no better place to sign with. It's only seven hours away from my home, and it's such a great program over there."
Navrot is coming off a career-best season with the Stampeders. In 55 games, the hard-hitting physical Navrot put up 54 points, 11 of them were goals. Overall as a team, Navrot and the Stamps made the playoffs but were quickly eliminated by the Steinbach Pistons who went on to the RBC Cup.
"We obviously didn't achieve the goal we wanted to as a team," he added. "Individually, I think I did a pretty good job offensively, and I think that'll transfer well into college hockey this upcoming fall."
Not only is Navrot 6'3" and 180lbs, but he boasts a great shot and hands with the ability to create offence by himself.
"I'm a big player, and I can definitely use my physical preference if I need to," Navrot added. "If that's going to help me get time and space with the puck, I'll use it to my advantage."
After being a third-year veteran with the Stamps this past season, Navrot expects being a rookie will definitely be a little bit of a transition, but he's ready for the challenge.
"It's definitely a little hard making the transition," he added. "But, it's not the first time I've had to do it, so I think I'll be able to hold my own."
In the 2017-18 season, the Beavers were near unbeatable as they went 36-2-0-1. Offensively, they scored 213 goals while giving up just 50.
"I believe we're going to have another really strong team this year," said Navrot. "So, I'm hoping we can make a deep playoff push."
Over 143 games with the Stampeders, Connor put up 107 points, and he expects to make a difference with the Beavers as well.
"I'm expecting myself to be another point per game player," he added. "I definitely plan on making an impact. Whatever I have to do to help the team succeed, I'll do."
AUDIO - Connor Navrot:
