Tim Taylor was a professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on February 6, 1969, in Stratford, Connecticut, and began his hockey career at Yale University, where he played for four years.
After college, Taylor signed with the Washington Capitals in 1990 and played for their minor league affiliate, the Baltimore Skipjacks, for two seasons. He made his NHL debut with the Capitals in the 1992-93 season and played in 29 games, scoring two goals and four assists.
In 1993, Taylor was traded to the Hartford Whalers, where he played for two seasons before being traded again to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1995. It was with the Lightning that Taylor had the most success in his NHL career. He played for the team for six seasons and was named captain in 2000.
Taylor was known for his defensive skills and his ability to win faceoffs. He was a key player on the Lightning's penalty kill and was often used in important defensive situations. He was also a respected leader in the locker room and was known for his work ethic and dedication to the game.
In 2001, Taylor won a Stanley Cup with the Lightning, the first and only championship in the team's history. He played in all 23 playoff games that season and was a key contributor to the team's success.
After the 2005-06 season, Taylor was traded to the New York Islanders, where he played for one season before retiring from the NHL in 2008. He finished his NHL career with 746 games played, 73 goals, and 104 assists.
After retiring from playing, Taylor became a coach and worked as an assistant coach for the Lightning and the Hartford Wolf Pack, the AHL affiliate of the New York Rangers. He also served as the head coach of the Yale men's hockey team from 2016 to 2019.
Sadly, Taylor passed away on April 7, 2020, at the age of 57 after a battle with cancer. He was remembered by his former teammates and colleagues as a dedicated and passionate player and coach who had a positive impact on everyone he worked with.
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