Aug 1, 2009

Where Are They Now: Rod Taylor

Karen s Print Rite presents an update on former Black Hawk forward Rod Taylor.

Taylor wrote his name boldly into the Black Hawks and USHL record books, and has remained there since 1984-1985. That season, playing on a line with Tom Bissett and Jim Tyler, Taylor finished eighth in league scoring with 83 points. His 54 goals that year still represent a Black Hawk record. Another 29 goals and 27 assists followed the next season, before Taylor exploded for an amazing 67 goals in 1986-1987 as a member of the Sioux City Musketeers. No other USHL player has even reached 60 goals since.

From junior hockey, Taylor moved back near his home in Michigan and continued to fill the net in college while playing for Ferris State. A long professional career began in 1991. Taylor would play all but a few games as a pro within the ECHL, and most of those with the Hampton Roads Admirals. His many Admirals teammates included Chicago Steel Head Coach Steve Poapst. By the time he made his last ECHL appearance in the 2002-2003 season, he was the all-time leader in league goals, points, and appearances. Now retired from hockey, Taylor lives in Virginia.

We asked him to reflect on a variety of accomplishments, including his induction into the ECHL Hall of Fame earlier this year.

Black Hawks: What memories stand out, on and off the ice, from your seasons with the Waterloo Black Hawks and in the USHL?

Rod Taylor: One great memory is when I had two years scoring over 50 goals each. I believe I still hold the record. And of course the fans in Waterloo were great and very friendly off the ice. I will also always remember the great friendships I formed with my Waterloo teammates. I also met my future wife, Lorel Cayler, there.

BH: There were a lot of big offensive numbers from your era in the USHL. Why do you think there so much more scoring in those years?

RT: Well I think that is because there was not as much emphasis on defense...I think that the players took more pride in the plus/minus stat.

BH: How did you choose to play in the USHL and NCAA versus major junior hockey in Canada?

RT: I did actually try out for a major junior team in Canada (the Kingston Canadians), because at the time I really didn t think I wanted to pursue the college route. Of course in hindsight I am glad that I did not make that team and ended up going to college to play. College hockey was a great experience for me.

BH: Was the individual and team success you had at Ferris State more special because you were playing close to home?

RT: Ferris is where I did learn that team success was so much more important than individual success. Playing college hockey in Michigan meant that my family had less travel time to come and watch me play. My parents were great supporters and didn t miss too many games. It always meant so much to me to have mom and dad there.

BH: You saw the ECHL expand and change dramatically in the years you played in the league. How do you reflect on your years as a professional and the evolution of the game at that level?

RT: I saw the ECHL change every year. The talent got better and better because it really had evolved from being a "goon" league to a great developmental league. Many players in the NHL today played in the ECHL.

BH: Do you remember the goal which made you the ECHLs career scoring leader?

RT: Yes I remember. It was a typical Rod Taylor goal, a "garbage" goal from behind the net, because if you didn t go there to get it, you weren t scoring. But to me it was just another goal and I had many more to get. Always looking to score the next goal.

BH: How did you decide it was time to hang up your skates? Were there challenges making the transition from professional athlete to a job working outside of sports?

RT: At the time [I retired] I was playing away from my family. I really didn t like being away from them. The reason we were apart is that my wife had a really good job and our son was in a wonderful preschool so we decided that we didn t want to uproot ourselves again. We grew to love Virginia Beach, it was where we wanted to settle down. I was playing in South Carolina and we discovered our second child was on the way so that sort of cemented my decision that year would be my final season. Of course, it was a big challenge transitioning from being a hockey player to working a "regular job". But I can say that I was lucky to be able to do something I loved for so long.

BH: What reflections would you offer on recently being named to the ECHL Hall of Fame?

RT: I think it was a great honor, and a truly memorable experience. Of course all pro hockey players want to make it to the NHL and it was disappointing that I didn t make it to that level, but thinking back, I feel that I maybe had a hand in getting some [other players] there. I also really felt like I always played my best and contributed to my team s success and that is something I will always be proud of.

Where Are They Now is presented by Karen s Print Rite. Photo courtesy of the ECHL with special thanks to Jack Carnefix.