Kraken Coaches
I don’t think I’ve ever met new Seattle assistant coach Chris Taylor. But I have met his older brother Tim, a delightful gentleman and an older sibling who won two Stanley Cups as an NHL player.
Tim, known to some as the “Toolman” because of the fact his name matches that of the 1990’s sitcom character from “Home Improvement”, won as a bottom-six forward with the Detroit Red Wings in 1997 and the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004.
So there’s some pedigree there.
Tim was also captain of the Bolts for one season before a hip injury ended his career in 2007.
The family is from Stratford, Ontario, the fitting home to Canada’s Shakespeare festival. (The Bard lived in Stratford-upon-Avon, England).
I’m somehow pals with that town’s former long time mayor Dan Mathieson.
Actually, I know Dan because he’s good friends with Hockey Hall of Fame honored linesman Ray “Scampy” Scapinello, with whom I wrote a book back in 2004.
“I grew up with Chris and the tool man,” Dan points out. “Both great guys.”
Thus, the small hockey family. It’s two degrees of separation in the NHL, not so much six.
Which brings me back to my original point about not knowing Tim’s little brother Chris.
Until Corey Perry came along to break his record, Chris was the career points record holder for the storied London Knights major junior franchise in the Ontario Hockey League. He piled up 378 points over four seasons ending in 1992.
What matters now is taking things to the next level as an assistant coach for the Kraken. Playing prowess does not necessarily translate into coaching success. In fact, traditionally, the better the player, the worse the coach.
Taylor just finished a run as an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils, a team that made the playoffs two of the past three seasons despite being cursed by injuries.
As a head coach for the Rochester Americans in the American Hockey League, Taylor posted a 62% win percentage over three seasons prior to the final one being cancelled due to Covid.
“Good hockey man, but a better person,” a mutual friend of ours, Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald, said of Chris. “He cares about his players and is an extremely loyal person. And a tireless worker.”
One would think Taylor will be given the opportunity to help direct the Kraken’s power play, one that finished in the bottom-third of the league last season. He showed creativity and consistency as a player and Seattle will hope the trend continues behind the bench.
As for Tim — overshadowing his sibling in the headline above — he’s an assistant general manager for the St. Louis Blues.
Although I’ve never met him, I look forward to catching up with his little brother.
