Battlefords Barons’ defenceman, Ryan Taylor was selected by the Edmonton Oil Kings in the fourth round of the WHL Draft this week. (Submitted photo/Paula Noyce, Warne Photography)

By Martin Martinson

A Dream Come True

Battleford hometown boy drafted to WHL

Apr 24, 2020 | 1:00 PM

For blue liner, Ryan Taylor, taking care of business in his own end is his top priority.

Standing 6-feet tall and 170 pounds at just 14 years of age, he’s a hard player to miss on the ice. Especially when, as a self-proclaimed ‘defensive minded’ defenceman, Taylor is also able to provide his team with an additional spark at the offensive end.

A strong skater with a heavy shot, Taylor spent last season with the Battlefords Barons of the Saskatchewan Bantam AA Hockey League (SBAAHL). There, the Battleford product finished the season fourth in team scoring, with 25 points in just 30 games played.

It was that ability to be a force at both ends of the ice that contributed to his selection by the Edmonton Oil Kings in the fourth round of the annual Western Hockey League (WHL) Draft, #75 overall.

Head coach of the Barons, Boyd Wakelin, said he was not surprised in the least by Taylor’s selection in the draft. He said while the defenceman’s play on the ice speaks for itself, It is his tireless work ethic combined with his continuous hunger to keep getting better, that sets the young rearguard apart as a truly special talent.

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“I thought there was a pretty good chance he’d get selected,” Wakelin said. “I think it’s just a testament to his hard work and his character. He’s going to outwork his opponents every time he’s on the ice. He’s a kid I have been fortunate enough to coach the last two years and I can honestly say I have never had to ask Ryan to work hard once. He was always showing up ready to go to work and ready to battle every game and every practice.”

That mix of inner drive and natural leadership helped earn Taylor the captaincy of the Barons for the 2019-20 season. Although it was just his second year with the team, Wakelin said it only seemed the obvious choice for all involved with the organization.

“He was the youngest kid on our team as a first year and he was one of the most mature players on our team then, so we just thought it was a no brainer to name him captain this season,” Wakelin said. “His teammates really looked up to him and they really follow his lead.

“I think he has a lot of attributes on the ice that make people really like his game, and when you get to know him as a person, you see why a team like Edmonton would be excited to draft him.”

Taylor said he was ‘extremely excited’ to be selected by the Oil Kings, adding that it was a surreal feeling when he first heard the news.

“It was a little bit of everything,” Taylor said of the emotion. “I was excited I got picked that high and it was pretty exciting for me to get selected by a team like Edmonton. For the first hour or two I was kind of just in shock at what had happened there.

“All my teammates and past teammates [were reaching out] and there was just so much congratulations and thanks from everybody.”

Coming as no surprise to those who know him, Taylor then added that he’s grateful for all the support he’s received from coaches, teammates, family and the community along the way.

“I think it really shows just how big the hockey family is,” he said. “It’s not just the regular family, but everybody you once played with or who coached you, or even just watched you at the rink; I wouldn’t mind just thanking everyone again who helped me get to this point. The road’s definitely not done yet, it’s just the first stepping stone.”

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1