Taylor Elliott's #7 retired at Huskies game

Taylor Elliott's  RHL Huskies jersey

On Saturday February 8 memories of Taylor Elliott filled Pincher Creek's Memorial Community Centre Arena. It was Hockey Day in Pincher Creek.

Taylor should have been there. Instead, he passed away on the morning of December 1, 2013.

During the Bantam Rockies game Taylor's jersey was displayed in the home team box. Taylor was an assistant coach for the Rockies, guiding athletes that looked up to him through his minor career in Pincher Creek and during his stint as first a member of and then Captain of the Brooks Bandits.

Taylor also played for the Ranchland Hockey League's newest team, Pincher Creek's Senior Huskies.

Pincher Creek Huskies
Lloyd Lybbert photos

These are some of the teammates and friends that braved the worst weather southern Alberta could throw at them during the search for Taylor. The crowd was larger than usual with friends, family, and the hockey community coming out to pay their respects.

Fort Macleod Mustangs

The Huskies were scheduled to play their arch rivals, Fort Macleod's Mustangs. These guys have been going at it against each other for a long long time. For this event, the retiring of Taylor's #7 jersey,  they lined up to pay their respects to a missing friend and competitor.

RHL Commissioner Jason Hueppelsheuser and Huskies GM Jeff Kaupp

Pincher Creek Huskies General Manager Jeff Kaupp handled the mic, speaking in heartfelt terms for himself and the team. Ranchland hockey League Commissioner Jason Hueppelsheuser was on hand for the ceremony and game.

"We are here tonight to celebrate and remember our friend, Taylor Elliott, who unfortunately passed away on us this past year," said Kaupp.  "A little bit about Taylor:  He played minor hockey days here in Pincher Creek.  In Bantam, he went on to Double AA's in Foothills,  and then played AAA in Bantams." 

"In Midget level he played AAA in Lethbridge, then came back here and played with the Rockies where he was league MVP."

"Then he got picked up by the Olds Grizzlies where he spent two years before going to the Brooks Bandits where he won the league championship in 2011/12."

"After that, Taylor came back home and played for the Huskies.  This year would have been his second year with us." 

"So tonight we celebrate."  

"In honour of Taylor Elliott, traditionally a moment of silence is a way of respect, but Taylor lived his life loud, and lived it fast."

"We would like to hear loud applause from everyone involved in hopes that Taylor hears us tonight."

"Let's hear it!"

Joey Gibonney and Hayden Shackel with Taylor's jersey 

Teammates Joey Gibbonney and Hayden Shackel prepared the jersey for its ascent into the rafters of the arena that gave Taylor Elliott so much joy for so many years, and there it hung over a cheering stomping stick rattling crowd.

It also hung over an amazing much-needed 5-4 win in front of a sizeable hometown crowd for the Huskies, with Taylor's younger brother Alex's hat trick making all the difference in the game.