Taylor Hall facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Taylor Hall
Hall with the Edmonton Oilers in 2012
Born	(1991-11-14) November 14, 1991 (age 33) Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position	Left wing
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	Carolina Hurricanes Edmonton Oilers New Jersey Devils Arizona Coyotes Buffalo Sabres Boston Bruins Chicago Blackhawks
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	1st overall, 2010 Edmonton Oilers
Playing career	2010–present

Taylor Hall (born November 14, 1991) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He plays as a left winger for the Carolina Hurricanes in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was the very first player chosen in the 2010 NHL entry draft by the Edmonton Oilers. Before joining the Hurricanes, he played for the Oilers, New Jersey Devils, Arizona Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, and Chicago Blackhawks.

Taylor had a very successful junior career. He helped the Ontario Hockey League (OHL)'s Windsor Spitfires win two Memorial Cup championships in a row, in 2009 and 2010. He was named the most valuable player (MVP) of the Memorial Cup tournament both times. Hall has been chosen for the NHL All-Star Game five times. In his second season with the Devils, he won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player. He was the first player from the Devils team to ever win this award.

Early Life and Hockey Start

Taylor Hall was born in Calgary, Canada. He is the only child of Steve Hall and Kim Strba. His father, Steve, used to play in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was also part of the Canadian national bobsleigh team.

Taylor's mother introduced him to organized hockey when he was five years old. His father built a hockey rink in their backyard every winter. Taylor and his friends practiced there all the time. In 2005, his family moved to Kingston, Ontario. He went to high school there and later in Tecumseh, Ontario.

Playing Career Highlights

Minor Hockey Years

Hall began playing minor hockey in Calgary, Alberta. When he was 13, his family moved to Kingston, Ontario. He continued to play hockey there. In the 2004–05 season, he won a city championship with the North East Canucks. For the next two seasons, he played for the Greater Kingston Predators. He was named to the ODMHA Midget AAA All-Star team. After that, the Windsor Spitfires picked him second overall in the 2007 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) draft.

Junior Hockey Success

Hall started playing in the OHL in the 2007–08 season. He scored 45 goals and had 39 assists, totaling 84 points. He was named the OHL and CHL Rookie of the Year after his first season.

Hall made his OHL debut with the Windsor Spitfires in 2007.

During the 2008–09 season, Hall played for the OHL in the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge. He scored 38 goals and 52 assists, reaching 90 points. The Windsor Spitfires had a great season. They won the OHL Championship and the Memorial Cup. In the OHL playoffs, Hall scored 16 goals and 20 assists. He won the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as the Playoff MVP. He scored the winning goal in overtime in the final game against the Brampton Battalion. At the 2009 Memorial Cup, Hall had eight points in six games. The Spitfires beat the Kelowna Rockets 4–1 in the final. Hall won the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as the tournament's most valuable player. He was also named to the tournament all-star team.

Hall was a top player expected to be picked first in the 2010 NHL entry draft. He was praised by hockey experts. He was even featured in Sports Illustrated as a young athlete ready to become a star.

In the 2009–10 season, Hall tied for first place in the OHL with 106 points. He won the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy. Hall was key to the Spitfires winning their second J. Ross Robertson Cup in 2010. He led the playoffs with 35 points in 19 games.

In May 2010, Hall helped the Spitfires win their second straight Memorial Cup. He won his second Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as tournament MVP. He was the first player ever to win it twice in a row. He also won the Ed Chynoweth Trophy as the Memorial Cup's top scorer.

Professional Hockey Journey

Edmonton Oilers (2010–2016)

After being picked first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2010 NHL entry draft, Hall signed his first professional contract. He was allowed to wear jersey number 4. This number had belonged to former Oilers player Kevin Lowe, but it was not retired.

Hall with Steve Tambellini and James Duthie at the 2010 NHL entry draft. Hall was selected first overall at the 2010 draft.

Hall played his first NHL game on October 7, 2010. The Oilers beat their rivals, the Calgary Flames. He got his first NHL point, an assist, in his second game. His first NHL goal came on October 28 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Hall was chosen for the 2011 NHL All-Star Game as a rookie. He came in second place in the fastest skater competition. On February 19, 2011, Hall scored his first NHL hat trick. He scored three goals in a row on the power play.

On March 3, 2011, Hall got his first career "Gordie Howe hat trick." This means he scored a goal, got an assist, and had a fight in the same game. However, the fight ended his rookie season early. He suffered a high ankle sprain. He finished his first season with 22 goals and 20 assists in 65 games.

Hall warming-up with the Oilers prior to a game in the 2011–12 season. Hall signed a new seven-year contract with the Oilers following that season.

On January 17, 2012, Hall was cut by a teammate's skate before a game. He needed 30 stitches on his face. Later, it was announced that Hall needed shoulder surgery. This ended his second season early.

On August 21, 2012, Hall signed a new seven-year contract with the Oilers. On January 26, 2013, he reached 100 career points. On February 22, 2013, he was suspended for two games after a collision. On March 30, 2013, Hall set a new team record. He scored a hat trick just 7 minutes and 53 seconds into a game. He finished the 2012–13 season with a career-high 34 assists.

On October 17, 2013, Hall broke Wayne Gretzky's Oilers record. He scored two goals in eight seconds, one second faster than Gretzky's record. In 2016, Hall was named to his first NHL All-Star Game as a member of the Pacific Division team.

New Jersey Devils (2016–2019)

On June 29, 2016, Hall was traded to the New Jersey Devils. He chose to wear number 9 because his usual number 4 was retired by the team. He scored his first goal as a Devil on October 18, 2016. On November 16, Hall had surgery on his left knee. He was expected to miss several weeks but returned quickly. Hall was named to the 2017 NHL All-Star Game.

Hall in October 2018, playing for the New Jersey Devils.

Hall was again named to the NHL All-Star Game in the 2017–18 season. However, he missed it due to a hand injury. On February 15, 2018, Hall set a Devils team record. He had a 16-game point streak. His point streak ended at 26 games on March 8. This was the longest point streak in the NHL since 2016. Hall finished the season as the Devils' top scorer with 93 points. He led the Devils to their first Stanley Cup playoff appearance since 2012. It was also Hall's first time playing in the playoffs. The Devils were eliminated in the first round. On April 27, Hall was named a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player. Hall won the award, becoming the first Devils player to do so.

Hall was named an alternate captain for the Devils before the 2018–19 season. On December 13, 2018, he got injured and missed two games. He scored his 200th NHL goal on December 20. However, he re-injured his knee and was placed on injured reserve. He had 37 points in 33 games at that time. He was selected for his fourth straight All-Star Game but was replaced due to his injury. In February, Hall had knee surgery. He did not play for the rest of the 2018–19 season.

Arizona Coyotes (2019–2020)

On December 16, 2019, Hall was traded to the Arizona Coyotes. This happened during the final year of his contract. On October 7, 2020, the Coyotes announced they would not re-sign Taylor Hall. This made him a free agent for the first time in his career.

Buffalo Sabres (2020–2021)

On October 11, 2020, Hall joined the Buffalo Sabres. He signed a one-year contract. In the 2020–21 season, which was delayed by the pandemic, Hall struggled. He scored only 2 goals and had 19 points in 37 games for the Sabres.

Boston Bruins (2021–2023)

On April 11, 2021, Hall was traded to the Boston Bruins. He chose to wear number 71 because number 4 was retired by the Bruins. Hall's arrival boosted the Bruins' offense. He scored 8 goals and 6 assists in 16 games for the Bruins that season. On May 17, 2021, Hall scored a tying goal in the playoffs.

On July 23, 2021, Hall signed a four-year contract extension with the Bruins. He had a good first full year with the Bruins. He scored 20 goals and 41 assists, totaling 61 points. This was his highest point total since his MVP season with New Jersey. He also played in 81 games, his most since his last season in Edmonton. The Bruins made the playoffs but lost in seven games. Hall scored two goals and two assists in that series.

In the 2022–23 season, Hall played a smaller role with the Bruins. He suffered a lower body injury on February 25, 2023. He missed 20 games but returned to play. Hall scored 16 goals and 20 assists for 36 points in 61 games. The Bruins had a historic season, setting NHL records for wins and points. However, they lost in the first round of the playoffs. Hall was one of the Bruins' top playoff performers, scoring 5 goals and 3 assists.

Chicago Blackhawks (2023–2025)

On June 26, 2023, Hall was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks. On November 9, he injured his right knee. He returned for a few games but then missed more time. On November 23, it was announced that Hall would miss the rest of the season due to knee surgery.

Hall started the 2024–25 season as a leader for the young Blackhawks team. He played with young star Connor Bedard. On November 27, 2024, Hall scored his fifth career NHL hat trick in a 6–2 win.

Carolina Hurricanes (2025–present)

On January 24, 2025, Hall was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in a three-team deal. On February 27, 2025, he scored his first goal as a Hurricane. Hall continued to be a veteran leader and found success. Between March 7 and April 3, Hall had at least one point in ten of 12 games. This included his sixth career hat trick on March 23. Hall helped the Hurricanes reach the playoffs. He had two assists in Game 1 of the first round against his former team, the New Jersey Devils. On April 30, 2025, Hall signed a three-year contract extension with the Hurricanes.

International Play for Canada

Hall with the Canadian men's national ice hockey team at the 2016 World Championship
Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing  Canada
World Championships
Gold	2015 Czech Republic
Gold	2016 Russia
IIHF World U20 Championship
Silver	2010 Canada
Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament
Gold	2008 Slovakia
IIHF World U18 Championships
Gold	2008 Russia
Representing  Ontario
World U-17 Hockey Challenge
Gold	2008 Canada

Hall played for the Canadian under-18 team in the 2008 World U18 Championships. He was one of the youngest players there. He had nine points in seven games, helping Canada win a gold medal. He also won a second gold medal at the 2008 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.

Hall played for the Canadian junior team in the 2010 World Junior Championships. He was the only player eligible for the 2010 NHL draft on the team. Hall scored a hat trick against Slovakia. He finished the tournament tied for third in scoring with 12 points (six goals and six assists) in six games.

Hall was invited to a camp for the 2011 World Junior Championships. However, he chose not to go. He wanted to focus on making the Edmonton Oilers' team for the upcoming NHL season.

At the 2015 World Championship, the Canadian senior team won the gold medal. It was their first gold since 2007, and they had a perfect record. Hall was named to the tournament all-star team. He also played at the 2016 World Championship, where Canada won gold again.

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

International Play Statistics

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2008	Canada Ontario	U17			5	4	4	8	4
2008	Canada	U18			4	2	6	8	2
2008	Canada	IH18			4	3	0	3	0
2010	Canada	WJC			6	6	6	12	0
2013	Canada	WC	5th		8	2	1	3	0
2015	Canada	WC			10	7	5	12	6
2016	Canada	WC			10	6	3	9	2
Junior totals					23	16	21	37	10
Senior totals					28	15	9	24	8

Awards and Honours