A life at sea is what Josh Taylor looks forward to these days, but until then he’s going to stay on the ice.
Taylor, a 22-year-old Corner Brook native, just wrapped up four years of studies at the Marine Institute of Technology in St. John’s, where he completed the nautical science program.
Taylor, a five-foot-11, 190-pound forward, suited up with the Northeast Eagles of the St. John’s Junior Hockey League for the past four seasons and was a member of the Western Kings provincial major midget hockey championship in his final year of eligibility in 2013.
Getting a chance to continue playing competitive hockey while waiting to see where work takes him is something Taylor is excited about.
He grew up watching the Royals play in the different senior hockey leagues, so he knows there are some die-hard fans waiting to see some entertaining hockey, and he’s happy to be part of it all.
“I always thought about playing for the Royals before, but now it’s going to happen,” Taylor said Tuesday. “I’m really glad I get a chance to play in front of family and friends at home.”
Taylor isn’t familiar with the other teams other than he played against a few of their players in the past, but he likes the competitive group the Royals will put on the ice.
He says most of the guys on the roster have played a lot of competitive hockey, so they should stack up with the other teams.
“We are quick, but we’re fairly smart with the puck, too,” he said. “We’ve all played good hockey, so we know what we’re doing, so I think that helps.”
The Royals will open the West Coast Senior Hockey League season against the Deer Lake Red Wings on Friday at 8 p.m. at the Hodder Memorial Recreation Complex. For the season opener fans are reminded that the Red Wings will hold a Christmas toy drive in partnership with the Salvation Army.
