Mike Taylor
February, 1999
by: William Overin
Great New Addition to the Gulls
Mike Taylor became a surprise addition to the Gulls' roster this year. He was acquired by the team in a blockbuster trade that sent long-time Gulls Clark Poglase and Stephane St. Amour to Bakersfield along with Steve Vezina and Danny Reja. Taylor spent no playing time with Bakersfield who had acquired him because of Tucson's dispersal draft after they suddenly folded.
Although Mike had his struggles early on scroring goals for the team, he has been on fire the last third of the season racking up goals and a hat trick. He hasn't had any toubles setting up goals, which he has been notorious for most of his carreer. Taylor is one of the quickest skaters in the West Coast Hockey League from blue line to blue line and surveys the ice better than most other players.
In addition to being a star for the Gulls since his arrival, Taylor was also one of four Gulls chosen to represent the West Coast Hockey League as the league battled the Canadian National Team in January. Taylor scored the game's first goal at 1:02 of the opening period in a game the WCHL won by a score of 6 - 4.
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Taylor fights along the board with Dan Marcotte of Idaho in the Gulls last regular home season game.
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William Overin: Can you tell those of us from San Diego, especially those of us who have never been to Ontario - what it was like growing up in Kingston, Ontario?
Mike Taylor: Kingston was great for me because it was not too big (approximately 100,000 people) to have a lot of crime but was big enough to have enough to keep my friends and I occupied. It was a great place to play hockey growing up because of the tradition the game has in Kingston, the first hockey game ever played was in Kingston in the late 1800's.
WO: Could you tell us about your family?
MT: I am an only child and both of my parents are happily re-married and only in their fourties, so that makes it nice to have my parents so young.
WO: What's your earliest hockey memory?
MT: I remember when my father took me out on the ice at age three and thinking at the time how good the older kids were but in retrospect the older kids were horrible when I think back now of how they were skating on their ankles all the time.
WO: What kind of music do you like?
MT: I like older rock and new alternative music, (my) favorites are Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Alice in Chains.
WO: What's your favorite movie?
MT: Too tough to think of one but I liked "Silence of the Lambs," "Wallstreet," "Slapshot," and others...
WO: What's your nickname and how did you earn it?
MT: "Tayls", pretty self-explanatory.
WO: Favorite athletes to watch?
MT: Paul Kariya, most exciting player in the world.
WO: What other sports do you enjoy playing and/or watching?
MT: I really have got into golf in the last couple of years and I like watching it. I like watching college hockey a lot but unfortunately I would need a satellite dish to watch any in San Diego. I grew up playing soccer and hockey exclusively until I had to make a decision to concentrate on hockey at around fourteen or fifteen years old.
WO: What is the last book read and what did you think of it?
MT: "Underboss" by Sammy "the bull" Gravano, about his life in organized crime and how he helped convict John Gotti. It was very interesting, and (I) would recommend it to anybody.
WO: Do you have a favorite San Diego restaurant yet?
MT: I'm not picky as long as I can get a relatively healthy meal.
WO: What do you think of San Diego in the short time that you have been here?
MT: It's a great city with a lot to offer, and I'm happy to be here.
WO: What people you most admire?
MT: I have a great deal of respect for the many people over the years who have made the medical and technological advances that have allowed us to live so comfortably today.
WO: What has been your greatest sports moment?
MT: Scoring the game-winning goal to win the East Coast Hockey League Championship in Richmond.
WO: Were there hockey players that you looked up to while you were growing up?
MT: Ray Bourque was a favorite when I was younger because he was so consistent every game.
WO: What did you study while attending Northeastern University? Do you plan to do anything with this degree once you are no longer playing hockey?
MT: I have a Finance degree, and I'm not sure if I will use it as an occupation but the vast knowledge I gained in that field has helped me tremendously with my own investing and decisions.
WO: How do you mentally prepare yourself for a hockey game?
MT: I just go over in my mind some of the things I could improve on from the last game or try to keep doing some things if they have brought me recent success.
WO: How would you characterize your style of play?
MT: I try to be a good two-way player that can be counted on defensively and offensively, those are the players that usually help a team the most over the long-term.
WO: What do you find is more taxing on the body: playing ice hockey or playing roller hockey?
MT: Ice hockey because of the number of games and the longer season but roller hockey is tough on the knees and ankles because of the unpredictable ways you stop on the wheels.
WO: What brought you to the WCHL after playing professionally on the East Coast for the previous four years?
MT: The prospect of better travel (air instead of bus) and seeing different parts of the country.
WO: How would you compare the level of play in the WCHL to that of ECHL or any other league that you have played in?
MT: This year the WCHL is much better than the previous years judging by the players on the rosters. In comparison, the forwards and starting goalies are comparable to the ECHL but the depth of the defensemen and backup goalies are not. Give this league time though, the ECHL has been around for ten years.
WO: What do you think of the fans here in San Diego - how do they compare to Tucson or any other city you've been in?
MT: Great, very similar to South Carolina in size and support.
WO: Have you had any problems adjusting to so many different teams in so many different cities? Why or why not?
MT: It is an adjustment in any new league/city. The last few years the emphasis was trying to play at the highest level possible and that meant going up and down whenever possible. Now, though, I want to stay in one place for the last couple of years of my hockey career and try to establish some roots in one city.
WO: What were your thoughts when you heard about Tucson folding? Did you have any warning?
MT: I found out the night before the official announcement and it was very disappointing for everyone because we all got along very well and it meant some guys lost their jobs.
WO: Was San Diego your first choice when you left Tucson?
MT: Under the circumstances, yes it was because the Gulls were struggling and it was a great city to live. If San Diego was doing well and didn't trade for me, I might have went to another league if Bakersfield kept my rights.
WO: How do you feel about your ability to adjust to San Diego's style of play (i.e. was it much different from when you were in Tucson?
MT: The only adjustment has been to playing less and winning more and that is a result of more depth on this team and that is a good thing.
WO: Can you comment on playing with people like Len Hachborn, Kevin St. Jacques, B.J McPherson, Kyle Reeves, etc. Do you feel as if they have raised you level of play and if so how?
MT: Len is a very talented offensive player and I could not imagine playing pro hockey at his age, I admire his love for the game. BJ is a left winger any centerman would like to have because he does the little things out on the ice that brings success, likewise for Kevin. Kyle has a tremendous shot and is a great goal scorer. Anytime you play with good players it helps push you or else you will be sitting on the bench the majority of the time.
WO: Are there any goalkeepers in the WCHL that you've had an especially difficult time scoring against? What is it about their style that you've found especially difficult?
MT: David Goverde, he is a good goaltender who is big and agile but my
difficulties with him will not last forever, I hope.
WO: When you go up to take a penalty shot, what type of thoughts are going through your head?
MT: I go to the move that has been the most successful of late and hope for the best.
WO: As I am sure you are aware, Greg Spenrath is no a fan favorite here in San Diego. You played with Greg in San Jose - can you give us any insight into him as a teammate and a person? What is it like playing against him?
MT: Good guy who you like to have backing you up as a teammate but I don't particularly like getting in the way of his 230 pound body.
WO: What are your thoughts (if any) on being a Gull next year?
MT: I love the city of San Diego so far and if everything goes well that would be great but it's too far away to say one way or another.
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