The ECHL and its member teams mourn the loss and express their condolences to the family and friends of Bruce Taylor, who was the founding father of the West Coast Hockey League. Taylor passed away at the age of 89 on Oct. 18.
In the early 1990s, Taylor purchased teams in Fresno, Reno and Bakersfield and in 1995 joined them with teams in Anchorage, Fairbanks and San Diego to form the WCHL. The Taylor Cup was presented to the playoff champion in the WCHL from the league’s inaugural season in 1995-96 until the league ceased operations following the 2002-03 season. In 2003-04, the ECHL welcomed former WCHL teams in Alaska, Bakersfield, Fresno, Idaho, Long Beach and San Diego as expansion teams. The ECHL presents the Bruce Taylor Trophy to the Western Conference champion each season.
Taylor’s ownership in hockey began in 1983 with the purchase of the Burnaby Bluehawks of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League and continued with the purchase of the Richmond Sockeyes in the BCJHL and the New Westminster Royals in the BCJHL.
A celebration of life for Taylor will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations appreciated to Cystic Fibrosis Canada BC Chapter or SAINTS Rescue.
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greensboro Gargoyles
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Iowa Heartlanders
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Utah Grizzlies
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers