Taylor Hall

Taylor Hall
Born November 14, 1991 (1991-11-14) (age 20)
Calgary, AB, CAN[1]
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight 200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb)
Position Left wing
Shoots Left
NHL team Edmonton Oilers
National team  Canada
NHL Draft 1st overall, 2010
Edmonton Oilers
Playing career 2010–present

Taylor Strba Hall[2] (born November 14, 1991) is a Canadian ice hockey left winger currently playing for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was the first overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Hall has had a highly successful junior career, helping the Windsor Spitfires to two consecutive Memorial Cup championships in 2009 and 2010. He was named Most Valuable Player of the Memorial Cup tournament both years. Hall's agent is former NHL defenceman Bobby Orr. On July 5, 2010, Hall signed his first professional contract with the Edmonton Oilers.

Contents

Early life

Hall was born in Calgary, Alberta, he is the son of Steve Hall and Kim Strba. His father was a former Canadian Football League player for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Toronto Argonauts and Ottawa Rough Riders in the mid-1980s, after which he was a member of the Canadian national bobsleigh team.[3] His mother introduced him to organized hockey at the age of five while his father maintained a backyard rink every winter which Hall and his friends practiced on relentlessly.[4] His family moved to Kingston, Ontario, in 2005,[4] where he attended high school at Frontenac Secondary School.

Playing career

Minor

Hall started playing minor hockey in Calgary, Alberta.[5] When he was 13, his family moved to Kingston, Ontario, where he continued to play.[6] Hall captured a Bantam AAA Calgary city championship with the North East Canucks during the 2004–05 season.[5] In 2005–06 and 2006–07 Hall played Bantam and Minor Midget hockey for the Greater Kingston Predators of the ODMHA league. Hall was named to the ODMHA Midget AAA All-Star team.[5] After the season, Hall was the second overall choice in the 2007 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection by the Windsor Spitfires.[5][7] Ryan O'Reilly was selected first overall ahead of Hall by the Erie Otters.[7]

Junior

Hall made his OHL debut in 2007–08, scoring a team-high 45 goals and adding 39 assists for 84 points,[8] which was third in team scoring.[5] In March, he was named OHL player of the week twice (March 3 and March 10).[5] He was named OHL and CHL Rookie of the Year after the season.[5]

During the 2008–09 OHL season, Hall was selected to represent the OHL in the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge.[5] He scored 38 goals and added 52 assists to finish with 90 points.[8] Windsor had a successful season on the ice, capturing the OHL Championship as well as the Memorial Cup. During the OHL playoffs, Hall scored 16 goals and added 20 assists[8] while being awarded the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as Playoff MVP.[5][9] He scored the game winning overtime goal in the fifth and deciding game of the OHL Finals against the Brampton Battalion to clinch the title.[10] At the 2009 Memorial Cup, Hall recorded 8 points in 6 games, as the Spitfires defeated the Kelowna Rockets4–1 in the final.[11] After the tournament, Hall was awarded the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as Tournament MVP and was named to the Tournament All-Star Team along with his teammate Ryan Ellis.[5][11]

Though the odds of him playing in Russia were remote, Hall was drafted 89th overall by the Kontinental Hockey League's Ak Bars Kazan on June 1, 2009. He was one of three Canadian junior players (all from the OHL) taken in the 2009 KHL Draft, which begins selecting players a year younger than the NHL does.[12] Hall was an early favourite to be the top pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft since entering the junior ranks. He was praised early in his junior career on Hockey Night in Canada by commentator Don Cherry during his "Coach's Corner" segment.[13] He was also featured in a July 2008 issue of Sports Illustrated, profiling young athletes poised to star in their sports.[14]

Hall finished the 2009–10 OHL season tied for first place in the OHL with Tyler Seguin with 106 points (40 goals and 66 assists) to win the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy alongside Seguin.[15][16] Hall was instrumental in the Spitfires' 2010 J. Ross Robertson Cup championship, recording a playoff-leading 35 points in 19 post-season games. His teammate, Adam Henrique, won the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award, scoring 20 goals.

In May 2010, Hall helped lead the Windsor Spitfires to their second straight Memorial Cup. With the victory, Hall was awarded his second straight Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as tournament MVP, the first player in its history to repeat as a winner, the Ed Chynoweth Trophy as Memorial Cup scoring leader, and a spot on the tournament All-Star team for the second straight year.

Hall was ranked as the top North American prospect by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau (CSB) in its 2009–10 midterm rankings.[17] In the CSB's final rankings, he was overtaken by Tyler Seguin as the top ranked North American prospect.[18] He has cited New York Islanders forward and 2009 NHL Entry Draft first overall pick, John Tavares, as a role model, both on and off the ice.[19]

Professional

Shortly after being selected first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Hall signed his first professional contract. The contract pays Hall the entry level maximum of $900,000 with the possibility of an additional $2.85 million in performance bonuses.[20] This is the highest rookie contract in Oilers history.

Taylor Hall has been given permission to wear the jersey number 4 which had belonged to former Oilers' player, Kevin Lowe, now serving as the president of hockey operations, who, before Hall, had been the only Oiler to ever wear the number 4 in its NHL history.[21]

Hall made his NHL debut on October 7, 2010, as the Oilers defeated arch-rivals, the Calgary Flames at Rexall Place. Hall's first NHL point, an assist, came in his second game, against the Florida Panthers on October 10, 2010, Shawn Horcoff redirected Hall's shot in front of the net. His first NHL goal came on October 28, 2010, against Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets and his former coach with the Windsor Spitfires, Bob Boughner.

Hall came in second place to Michael Grabner in the fastest skater, in the 2011 NHL All-Star Game SuperSkills Competition.

Hall got his first NHL hat-trick and natural hat-trick against the Atlanta Thrashers on February 19th, 2011. With the Oilers down two goals, Hall scored 3 consecutive power play goals in a span of 12:53 to win the game by a score of 5-3. [22]

On March 3rd, 2011, Hall recorded his first career Gordie Howe hat trick on a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Hall scored a goal against Steve Mason, assisted on a goal by Jordan Eberle, and fought with Derek Dorsett, in a 4-2 win. The fight with Dorsett, however, ended his rookie season early as Hall suffered a high ankle sprain at the end of the fight. Hall finished his rookie season scoring 22 goals and 20 assists in 65 games.

Hall recorded his second career NHL hat-trick in a 9-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks after going 9 games without a goal.

International play

Medal record

Taylor Hall
Competitor for Canada
Ice hockey
IIHF World U20 Championship
Silver 2010 Canada
Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament
Gold 2008 Slovakia
IIHF World U18 Championships
Gold 2008 Russia
Competitor for  Ontario
World U-17 Hockey Challenge
Gold 2008 Canada

Hall represented Canada at the 2008 IIHF World U18 Championships in Kazan, Russia as one of five 16-year-olds. He was fifth in tournament scoring, with nine points in seven games, helping Canada to a gold medal. He returned to Canada's under-18 team to earn a second gold medal at the 2008 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in Slovakia as an alternate captain to Matt Duchene.[23]

Hall made Canada's national junior team for the 2010 World Junior Championships in Saskatchewan. He was the lone draft-eligible player selected to the final roster.[24] Hall scored a hat-trick against Slovakia, in a game Canada ended up winning 8–2. After the championships, Hall finished tied for third overall in scoring with his Canadian teammate and Alex Pietrangelo along with American, Jerry D'Amigo. He ended up with 6 goals and 6 assists (12 points) in 6 games.

Hall was invited to Hockey Canada's summer evaluation camp for the 2011 World Junior Tournament, but declined to participate, choosing instead to focus on making the Oilers' roster for the upcoming season. According to Hockey Canada policy, Hall would have been ineligible to participate in the tournament even if he was available.[25]

Career statistics

    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2006–07 Kingston Predators Min. Midget OMHA 29 44 41 85 10
2007–08 Windsor Spitfires OHL 63 45 39 84 22 5 2 3 5 2
2008–09 Windsor Spitfires OHL 63 38 52 90 60 20 16 20 36 12
2009–10 Windsor Spitfires OHL 57 40 66 106 56 19 17 18 35 32
2010–11 Edmonton Oilers NHL 65 22 20 42 27
OHL totals 183 123 157 280 138 44 35 41 76 46
NHL totals 65 22 20 42 27
International
Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM Team result
2008 Canada WJC-U18 7 4 5 9 4
2010 Canada WJC 6 6 6 12 0
Junior totals 13 10 11 21 4

Awards and honours

Award Year
Junior
OHL All-Rookie Team 2008 [26]
Emms Family Award 2008 [27]
CHL Rookie of the Year Award 2008 [28]
OHL First-Team All-Star 2009
2010
[29]
Wayne Gretzky 99 Award 2009 [30]
Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy 2010 [31]
Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy 2009
2010
[28]
Memorial Cup All-Star team 2009
2010
[32]
Ed Chynoweth Trophy 2010 [32]
CHL Second-Team All-Star 2010 [33]

References

  1. ^ Barnes, Dan (2010-06-11). "Oilers woo Taylor Hall on visit to Edmonton". Edmonton Journal. http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sports/oilers+taylor+hall+visit+edmonton/3139816/story.html. Retrieved 2010-06-23. 
  2. ^ "Spitfires' Hall ready to make leap to pro ranks". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 2010-01-20. http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2010/01/20/sp-chl-spitfires-hall.html. Retrieved 2010-06-27. 
  3. ^ Turner, Randy (2009-12-28). "Taylor soon to be Hall of fame". Winnipeg Free Press. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/columnists/taylor-soon-to-be-hall-of-fame-80192752.html. Retrieved 2010-06-20. 
  4. ^ a b Cruickshank, Scott (2010-06-20). "The Calgary backyard that helped shape hockey's next superstar". Calgary Herald. http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/Calgary+backyard+that+helped+shape+hockey+next+superstar/3177458/story.html?cid=megadrop_story. Retrieved 2010-06-20. 
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Player Profile – Taylor Hall". Hockey Canada. http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php?ci_id=11737&la_id=1&ss_id=25001&player_id=10837. Retrieved 2010-05-27. 
  6. ^ "Knights plan to take best player". Canadian Online Explorer. 2007-05-05. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists/DallaCosta/2007/05/05/pf-4156407.html. Retrieved 2010-01-20. 
  7. ^ a b "OHL Priority Selection 2007 Round 1". Ontario Hockey League. http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/ps2007/. Retrieved 2010-05-27. 
  8. ^ a b c "Ontario Hockey League – Taylor Hall (LW)". Ontario Hockey League. http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/stats/player.php?id=4895. Retrieved 2010-05-27. 
  9. ^ "Taylor Hall – Playoff MVP". Ontario Hockey League. 2009-05-09. http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/taylor-hall-playoff-mvp-p128338. Retrieved 2010-05-27. 
  10. ^ "Taylor Hall scores in overtime as Windsor beats Brampton". National Hockey League. 2009-05-08. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=422092&cmpid=rss-News%20in%20English. Retrieved 2009-05-09. 
  11. ^ a b "Taylor Hall Wins Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as MVP of Mastercard Memorial Cup". Ontario Hockey League. 2009-05-24. http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/taylor-hall-wins-stafford-smythe-memorial-trophy-as-mvp-of-mastercard-memorial-cup-p128445. Retrieved 2010-05-27. 
  12. ^ "Tavares passed over in KHL draft, Hall taken by Ak Bars". The Sports Network. http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=280568. Retrieved 2010-01-20. 
  13. ^ "Take it from Cherry, we'll be hearing more about Taylor Hall". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/sports/story.html?id=70de967b-66a8-428e-8829-cc944ebcf886. Retrieved 2008-08-06. 
  14. ^ Lemire, Joe (July 14, 2008), "Where Will They Be?", Sports Illustrated, http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1141794/4/index.htm .
  15. ^ "OHL Top Scorers". Ontario Hockey League. 2010-03-14. http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/stats/statdisplay.php?type=top_scorers. Retrieved 2010-03-14. 
  16. ^ "Hall and Seguin share Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy as OHL scoring champs". The Canadian Press. 2010-03-16. http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5iSrNJwZD4EE1jojSBaaAO3wELCgw. Retrieved 2010-03-17. 
  17. ^ "North American Skaters Midterm Rankings". January 11, 2010. http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=59880. 
  18. ^ "Seguin overtakes Hall in final Central Scouting rankings". The Sports Network. 2010-04-07. http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=317011. Retrieved 2010-04-07. 
  19. ^ Chris Pope. "Introducing Taylor Hall". The Good Point. http://www.thegoodpoint.com/hockey/nov08/introducing-taylor-hall.html. Retrieved 2008-12-02. 
  20. ^ "Hall signs entry level contract with Oilers". The Canadian Press. 2010-07-05. http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=326657. 
  21. ^ Wearing No. 4 ‘ pretty prestigious’: Taylor Hall
  22. ^ Feb 19, 2011 Game Summary [1]
  23. ^ TSN.ca. "Hall among hockey's young guns to watch for". http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=245419&lid=sublink06&lpos=headlines_main. Retrieved 2008-08-06. 
  24. ^ "Canada Roster – 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship". Hockey Canada. http://hockeycanada.ca/index.php/ci_id/69058/la_id/1.htm. Retrieved 2009-12-29. 
  25. ^ "Taylor Hall skipping junior camp". The Globe and Mail. 2010-07-30. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/taylor-hall-skipping-junior-camp/article1657814/. Retrieved 2010-08-10. 
  26. ^ Bell, Aaron, ed. 2009–10 OHL Media Guide. Ontario Hockey League. p. 147. 
  27. ^ Bell, Aaron, ed. 2009–10 OHL Media Guide. Ontario Hockey League. p. 134. 
  28. ^ a b Bell, Aaron, ed. 2009–10 OHL Media Guide. Ontario Hockey League. p. 139. 
  29. ^ "OHL Announces 2009–10 All-Star Teams". Ontario Hockey League. 2010-04-29. http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/ohl-announces-2009-10-all-star-teams-p142430. Retrieved 2010-06-20. 
  30. ^ Bell, Aaron, ed. 2009–10 OHL Media Guide. Ontario Hockey League. p. 165. 
  31. ^ "Hall and Seguin share Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy as OHL scoring champs". National Hockey League. 2010-03-16. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=521626. Retrieved 2010-06-20. 
  32. ^ a b "MasterCard Memorial Cup Individual Award Winners Announced". Canadian Hockey League. 2010-05-23. http://mastercardmemorialcup.com/news.php?id=1522&y=2010. Retrieved 2010-05-24. 
  33. ^ "CHL All-Star Teams". Canadian Hockey League. 2010-05-27. http://www.chl.ca/all_star_team.php?seasonyear=2009. Retrieved 2010-08-12. 

External links

Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Patrick Kane
Winner of the Emms Family Award
2007–08
Succeeded by
Evgeny Grachev
Preceded by
Patrick Kane
CHL Rookie of the Year
2007–08
Succeeded by
Brett Connolly
Preceded by
John Tavares
First overall pick in NHL Entry Draft
2010
Succeeded by
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Preceded by
Magnus Pääjärvi-Svensson
Edmonton Oilers first round draft pick
2010
Succeeded by
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins