By: Jimmy Kerr
GongShow Hockey.com Contributing Writer
kerrzy@gongshowhockey.com

Edmonton native Justin Taylor of the 2003-2004 Red Deer Rebels has recently signed a 3-year deal with the NHL’s Calgary Flames.  Taylor started out in junior as a 16-year old with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL but after recording only 6 points in 39 games, he turned to the AJHL, Alberta’s Junior “A” Hockey League.  Starting out with the Sherwood Park Crusaders, Taylor calls joining the Camrose Kodiaks and playing under Boris Rybalka, the GM/Coach of the Kodiaks, the turning point of his junior career.

Taylor helped the Kodiaks to a silver at the National Championships in the 2002-2003 season, tallying 10 goals and 16 assists for a solid 26 points in 23 games including the best-of-seven series victory for the Doyle Cup which is the Alberta-BC championship.  “Justin was successful in Camrose because he worked hard here and he wanted to get better and get to the next level,” said Rybalka, adding that “this young mans work ethic and attitude will take him a long way in hockey and life.”  Early in the 2003-2004 season, Taylor signed on with the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL, wanting one more shot to prove himself at the Major Junior level.

“We were fortunate to have Justin in Camrose for the 2 year period and he made the organization better [and] Mr. Sutter took Justin to the next level and because of that Justin now has his contract with the Flames! Mr. Sutter and the Rebels deserve a lot of credit also for Justin becoming the player that he is today!”

Taylor made his presence felt in the WHL, scoring himself into fourth among the Red Deer Rebels notching 16 goals and 22 assists for 38 points in 57 games.  Before leaving the Kodiaks, the 6-foot-4 200 pound Taylor had an early lead with 6 goals and 13 assists in 12 games.

“The Kodiaks organization wish Justin all of the best in his new Future with the Calgary Flames organization!”

Kerrzy