Joe Babik / ECHL Senior PR/Historical Specialist

When he started his pro career in 2010, Justin Taylor hoped to have a long, successful playing career. Sixteen seasons later, the Adirondack Thunder forward is still going strong, and enters this weekend two games shy of setting a new ECHL record for career games played.

“I definitely envisioned playing for a long time, maybe not still in the minors, but just staying in North America and playing that style, that’s the reason I kept going,” he said. “Also, my wife is from southwest Michigan, and from playing in Kalamazoo all those years (13 season), she can be with her family and then I can be home all the time, so it just kind of made sense.”

Excitement has begun to take over for him as he is on the verge of skating in more games than any other player in the ECHL’s 38-year history.

“Last year when I was with Fort Wayne was when I realized I had a chance, because it could have happened then if I would have played 60-something games,” he said. “But my wife was like, hey you’re getting closer, you’re not done and still want to play, so it doesn’t matter when it happens just keep going for it.
“When it happens, I think it will be a little emotional, but also exciting. I played against (current games played record holder) Michael Pelech for years, through youth hockey and juniors, and then when he decided to go overseas, I was kind of like, all right you’re leaving the door open for me.”

For Taylor, the key to a lengthy career has been more mindset, than anything physically.

“For me, it’s setting the standard and being where I want to be. When you’re younger, you can play a little freer, such as fight and be a little more aggressive. And then as the career goes on, you taper back just a little bit and focus on the finer points of the game, trying to be more hockey smart, and then just keep it all put together. So, for me, it’s putting that standard out there on a daily basis, going to the rink with a positive attitude and wanting to put the work in.

“Obviously I love the game of hockey itself, but I enjoy the lifestyle just as much, if not more. I like competitiveness, I like seeing new people, the banter in the dressing room, banter on the ice with the opposing team, it’s just something to look forward to on a day-to-day basis,” Taylor added.

The other aspects of the game that Taylor relishes are the chance to serve as a leader, as well as mentor younger players.

“My biggest thing is reminding the younger players, look, you get to be a hockey player. You’re part of the one percent that starts out at three or four years old on skates hoping to be a pro hockey player, and you’ve done it. It might not be the NHL, but it’s still an exciting time. Every day is an opportunity to be a sponge and learn something about the great greatest game on earth, so take advantage of it and soak in every moment.”

Taylor has had a lot of memorable moments over the course of the previous 16 seasons, but for him, three in particular stand out.

“My rookie year with Kalamazoo, we made it all the way to the Kelly Cup Finals. We lost, and it’s an emotional time. You see some older guys that end up retiring, and this was their last chance. I can probably name every teammate that I played with that year just because that group was so tight-knit, and it kind of shows you what it takes just to get to that point and give yourself a chance.

“The other one, when my oldest son Jonah was born, I was at the hospital for 40 hours. I go to the arena and do skate myself while the team was on the road, go back to the hospital, then return to the rink. We play Friday and Saturday, I had two great games and ended up getting Player of the Week on no sleep and hospital food.

“And finally, I think it’s probably the outdoor games we got to play in Toledo. We won both of the times we played those; I played my 700th game in one of them, so that is something that always stands out.”

As Taylor prepares to stand alone on top of ECHL games played record as early as this weekend, he doesn’t look at this as the end of his journey with the game of hockey.

“I have an idea of what I would maybe think about retiring, but that’s something I like to keep close to the best, that way players aren’t trying to stop me from doing that or anything. I’ve discussed it a lot with my wife, but I absolutely want to stay involved in the game after my playing days. 

“I love coaching,” Taylor said. “I coach a split-season team before our seasons starts, and for the last three seasons, I’ve been heavily involved with the youth association and co-op in Kalamazoo, just to keep learning and how to work with young athletes and get the most out of them. So, I definitely want to stay involved in the game any way I can.”

No matter where Justin Taylor goes from here, his place in ECHL history will be secure after he skates in career game number 885.