Q&A with Taylor Accursi
March 2, 2018 - Premier Hockey Federation (PHF)
Buffalo Beauts News Release
If you've watched a Buffalo Beauts game this year you may have seen Taylor Accursi. She would be the player with the long, blonde ponytail flowing in the wind as she's flying through the air after her team scores a goal. Or pumping her fist in the air while lifting her leg like Captain Morgan. Trust me, her celebrations are epic, whether she scored the goal or one of her teammates did, or the Beauts racked up another win - the enthusiasm is the always the same.
A rookie this season, Accursi (who just turned 23-years-old) has been a very solid addition by the Buffalo staff to the defending Isobel Cup champs roster, adding depth to their forward group. With ten points (6g-4a) in her first 13 pro games and a league-leading four power-play goals the Ontario-native will play a big role as the Beauts attempt to make their third consecutive Isobel Cup Final, and become the first team to win back-to-back championships in the NWHL.
Before the first of Buffalo's two consecutive games in New Jersey against the Metropolitan Riveters, I sat down with Accursi to find out why the Beauts have been more successful this season than ever before, why she wears no. 95 and the answers to many other questions.
NWHL: With such a long winning streak by the Beauts, currently at eight, what do you think the secret to the team's success has been?
Taylor Accursi: I think our team has really come together and really started working for each other, both offensively and defensively that has helped us out a lot. That's helped us win these games. Another key factor in our success is everyone is more familiar with one another. Now you know: okay this girl is a playmaker, this one likes to shoot - everyone knows what everyone likes to do first. That's definitely helped us.
NWHL: Quite the difference from the beginning of the season, right?
Taylor Accursi: Huge difference. At the beginning of the season, no one really knows what the other person is going to do. It's a 2-on-1: is she going to shoot or is she going to pass? We didn't know yet. But now you know she's gonna shoot, I'll go to the net for the rebound or vice versa.
NWHL: This whole winning streak started right after the Pegula family purchased the Beauts. How has that changed things for the team, or yourself individually, and is it maybe in ways that are behind the scenes?
Taylor Accursi: For our team, in general, we have great workout facilities, a really good team staff in regards to working out, injuries, rehab, or whatever we need. Since they've bought the team a lot of their media team has taken over for us - so you drive down I-90 and there's a big billboard: Buffalo Beauts play this weekend or for the next home game. So that helps us draw a crowd and we draw off the energy of the crowd. Also, our pregame and postgame meals are huge!
NWHL: As a Canadian playing in the NWHL this season as a rookie was the CWHL ever a consideration for you?
Taylor Accursi: To be honest I wasn't exactly sure of what I was going to do. It was actually my sister who signed me up to try out for the Beauts! She followed it a bit and said I should go to the Beauts. So I went out (to the free agent camp) and had a good showing and then got signed. But no, the CWHL was never an option for me.
NWHL: The Beauts have had a few players that played collegiately at Mercyhurst University where you went, so there was also that natural connection there too, right?
Taylor Accursi: Oh yeah, one of my best friends from Mercyhurst is Emily Janiga, who played for the Beauts last season. So I'm kind of following in her footsteps. She had nothing but great things to say about the league and the organization. I definitely threw the idea out there that I was looking to try out for them and she highly recommended it.
NWHL: Who was your favorite player growing up?
Taylor Accursi: I loved Pavel Datsyuk. I loved him even though he played for Detroit; just an unbelievable player. Nasty hands, he could stickhandle in a phone booth and for me what was amazing was his speed, when he got the puck - see ya later. He was the ideal player for me growing up.
NWHL: As a Leafs fan?
Taylor Accursi: Haha! As a Leafs fan.
NWHL: The Leafs are really good now though...
Taylor Accursi: Now I can be an open Leafs fan. Before it was kind of hidden. You know, you wear your Leafs shirt underneath a bunch of sweaters. But now I can openly show it (smiles).
NWHL: How come you wear no. 95?
Taylor Accursi: Honestly, the first three numbers I chose were already taken (grins) and I was like: I'm gonna be that kid that wears their birth year. So yeah, I'm last on the roster (laughs).
NWHL: You started off this season hot in the goal scoring column, and it seems like you get chances every game, how would you assess your season so far?
Taylor Accursi: Overall I think I've been having a pretty good season. Yes, I started off really hot, fresh out of the gates. Like we talked about (before) with everyone having a role, I like to diversify myself and think I'm not only a goal scorer but also a playmaker. So if there's a shot and there is a teammate open I'm going to look to make the nice play versus shooting.
NWHL: When you do score goals you celebrate pretty hard, which I love. Is that something you do on the fly or is there thought put into it?
Taylor Accursi: On the fly. Whatever comes into my head I do (smiles) I don't really think about it until I see the pictures after. The camera guys have been pretty good getting me in the air a few times, hahaha! But when my teammates score too, I like to celebrate with them too. It is a me thing, but it's also a we thing too.
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Premier Hockey Federation Stories from March 2, 2018
- Q&A with Taylor Accursi - Buffalo Beauts
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