Curve Lake First Nation teen to join Greater Toronto Hockey League franchise

By Sam Laskaris

CURVE LAKE FIRST NATION – Emerson Taylor will have a bit of a longer commute to get to his hockey games this season. That’s because Taylor, a member of Curve Lake First Nation, has cracked the roster for the Reps Hockey Club’s Under-16 AAA squad for the 2022-23 season. The Reps play their home contests at the Canlan Sports facility, located at Toronto’s York University.

Taylor will continue to live at his Curve Lake First Nation home, located about a 90-minute drive, in moderate traffic, from the rink.

One of the reasons Taylor will remain at home while playing for a Toronto-based squad is so that he can also continue attending Lakefield College School, an independent school located about 15 minutes from his home.

Taylor excelled during his Grade 9 studies at the school and is eager to return for a second year. He maintained an A average in his courses while also suiting up for a Peterborough Under-15 AA squad.

Taylor’s father Gordie is also keen to have his son continue his education at Lakefield College School.

“He’s an A student,” the elder Taylor said. “And he did really well there this year.”

Gordie Taylor added the school, located in the town of Lakefield, has a solid reputation.

“They have a 100 per cent acceptance rate in universities worldwide,” he said.

In order to play for the Reps, who compete in the prestigious Greater Toronto Hockey League, the younger Taylor had to obtain a release not only from the Peterborough organization but a handful of other area clubs that also participate in the Ontario Minor Hockey Association.

“It’s a pretty good opportunity for me,” said Taylor, who is 5-foot-9 and weighs 160 pounds.

Taylor, who is comfortable playing both centre and left wing positions, is entering his Ontario Hockey League (OHL) draft year.

Jumping up to the AAA ranks and transferring to the highly scouted GTHL will enhance his opportunities to impress OHL scouts.

Taylor is hoping to get drafted by an OHL squad and eventually play in the league, which includes Major Junior athletes aged 16-20.

But he’s also keeping all doors open for the moment. Taylor who has three years of high school studies remaining, said he could potentially also be interested in garnering an athletic scholarship from an American university.

“The NCAA is always an option as well,” he said.

Former National Hockey League player Anthony Stewart is among those who have been helping to develop Taylor’s skills.

Taylor has attended weekly and summer skates run by Stewart’s company, which is called Stewart Hockey.

Taylor has also participated in events organized by Hockey Equality, an organization that is hoping to make hockey a sport for all, especially BIPOC players.

Stewart, who played 262 NHL games, suiting up for the Florida Panthers, Atlanta Thrashers and Carolina Hurricanes, is the Hockey Equality chairman.

Gordie Taylor is the group’s Indigenous community relations advisor.

The elder Taylor believes his son generated some interested from GTHL franchises because of his involvement with this group.

“I believe he got this opportunity because of Hockey Equality,” he said.