Saturday, August 25, 2007

Congratulations to Tim Taylor on New Position with USA Hockey

BOULDER, Colorado -- Congratulations to former Yale University hockey coach Tim Taylor on being named an assistant coach for USA Hockey's National Team Development Program. As a life-long Yale fan and former neighbor of his, I know Taylor was a great teacher and mentor to his players and one of the true treasures of the university.

"Tim Taylor is one of the most respected American coaches of our time," said Jim Johannson, assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey, as reported by USCHO.com Friday. "He is a terrific teacher of the game and we couldn't be more pleased to have him join our staff."

Taylor served as an assistant coach for the US Olympic hockey team in 1984, eventually moving up to head coach for the 1994 Games in Lillehammer, Norway. His other national coaching experience includes leading the US to a second-place finish in the 1991 Canada Cup, as well as four years as head coach at the World Championships (1989-1992).

"I couldn't be happier to join such a wonderful program," said Taylor. "I am excited to help the young men of the National Team Development Program become better hockey players, and teach them things that they will carry with them both on and off the ice throughout their lives. It will be a thrill for me to work with such motivated athletes and also a great coaching staff."

Taylor spent 28 years as the Yale head coach, winning six Ivy League titles to go with 19 ECAC playoff appearances. He was awarded ECAC coach of the year three times, in 1987, 1992, and 1998, a season in which he also won the Spencer Penrose Award as NCAA Division I coach of the year. In 1997-98, he guided the Bulldogs to a school-record 23 wins, an ECAC regular-season crown and a berth in the NCAA tournament.

His career record at Yale was 342-433-55, and he coached more games than anyone else in ECAC Hockey League history.

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