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ECHL Reading Royals

Karl Taylor Named Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations

August 22, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Reading, PA - The Reading Royals, affiliate of the NHL's Los Angeles Kings and AHL's Manchester Monarchs, announced at a press conference today, that Karl Taylor has been named head coach and director of hockey operations, effective immediately.

The Royals held a press conference today introducing Taylor, who becomes the fourth head coach in club history, since the franchise relocated from Columbus, Ohio prior to the 2001-02 campaign. Taylor replaces Derek Clancey who spent two seasons behind the Royals bench before accepting an assistant coaching position with the Monarchs on August 8, 2005.

Taylor was a guest coach this summer at the Los Angeles Kings rookie development camp in California. The North Bay, Ontario native comes to Reading after serving two seasons at the University of Waterloo as the first full-time head coach. In just his second season with the Warriors (2004-05), he guided the club to a 13-8-3-0 in Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) play. Prior to joining the Warriors, Taylor was behind the bench for Red Deer College in Alberta from 2000-03. From 1997-99, he was an assistant coach at the University of New Brunswick (UNB), his alma mater. During his final season at New Brunswick, Taylor was a volunteer assistant coach for Fredericton of the American Hockey League.

Coach Taylor said he is excited about the opportunity, "I appreciate the opportunity to come to a class organization such as Reading. From the Kings on down to Reading, it is a solid system. I feel very fortunate to be a part of it and look forward to carry on the momentum of the past two seasons created by my predecessor Derek Clancey!"

From 1990-1995, Taylor attended UNB of the Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU). Serving as captain of the Varsity Reds for three seasons, Taylor was honored with the Mark Jeffrey Memorial Award in 1995 for leadership, dedication and commitment to the team. He also received the Alumni Merit Award for academic and athletic excellence. For his five-year university career, Taylor was selected to the Athletics Ring of Distinction, awarded for his superb athletic career. Taylor received his Bachelor of Physical Education degree from UNB in 1995.

Taylor's playing days began in 1988 when he began his junior career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He competed in major junior hockey for three seasons, with his most productive season coming as a member of the Windsor Compuware Spitfires (1988-1989). That season, Taylor notched 23 points in 66 games.

Royals interim general manager Gordon Kaye addressed the media and fans on why Taylor was hired, "Karl Taylor's resume speaks for itself. When we interviewed candidates, we not only looked at the resume but at the work ethic and attitude and we felt that Karl was the total package."

"We have had the chance to work with Karl for the past two years at our rookie development camp and think he is a great addition to the Royals and the entire Kings organization," added Kevin Gilmore, vice president of hockey operations and assistant general manager of the Los Angeles Kings. "His proven success both on and off the ice throughout his career and his reputation as a tireless perfectionist met each criterion we were looking to add to our system. We are confident that coach Taylor is going carry on the winning tradition in Reading, while being a great asset in developing our stars of the future."

The Royals 5th Anniversary Season faces off October 29 against Kelly Cup Champion Trenton. The Royals will raise the North Division regular season champion banner prior to the drop of the puck. For ticket information including; season, half-season and quarter-season ticket packages visit the Royals website at www.royalshockey.com or call the Royals Hockey Headquarters at 610-898-PUCK (7825).

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