John Taft (ice hockey)

John Philip Taft (born March 8, 1954) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman.

John Taft
Born (1954-03-08) March 8, 1954 (age 70)
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight194 lb (88 kg; 13 st 12 lb)
PositionDefense
ShotRight
Played forDetroit Red Wings
National team United States
NHL draft81st overall, 1974
Detroit Red Wings
WHA draft120th overall, 1974
Phoenix Roadrunners
Playing career1977–1983

Early life

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Taft was born in Minneapolis. Prior to turning professional, he played for the Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey team at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Career

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Taft played 15 games in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings in the 1978–79 season. The rest of his career, which lasted from 1977 to 1983, was spent in the minor leagues. Taft played for the American national team at the 1976 Winter Olympics, and the 1973, 1974 and 1975 World Championships.

Personal life

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Taft's daughter, Jenny Taft, is a reporter for Fox Sports 1.[1]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
1971–72Minneapolis Southwest High SchoolHS-MN
1972–73University of Wisconsin-MadisonWCHA409182728
1973–74University of Wisconsin-MadisonWCHA361171820
1974–75University of Wisconsin-MadisonWCHA3811172822
1975–76United States National TeamIntl519344366
1976–77University of Wisconsin-MadisonWCHA4215435841
1977–78Kansas City Red WingsCHL715222725
1978–79Detroit Red WingsNHL150224
1978–79Kansas City Red WingsCHL61824324840220
1979–80Adirondack Red WingsAHL4717825
1980–81Salt Lake Golden EaglesCHL6881927681712333
1981–82Salt Lake Golden EaglesCHL70616224610000
1982–83Salt Lake Golden EaglesCHL77525306560008
CHL totals347321061382522814541
NHL totals150224

International

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YearTeamEventGPGAPtsPIM
1973United StatesWC-B70000
1974United StatesWC-B70110
1975United StatesWC101234
1976United StatesOLY51238
Senior totals2925712

Awards and honors

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AwardYear
All-NCAA All-Tournament Team1973, 1977[2]
All-WCHA Second Team1976–77[3]

References

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  1. ^ Allen, Matt (November 11, 2017). "Matt Gilroy, thriving in the KHL, now expected to become go-to player for U.S. Olympic team". USA Today. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  2. ^ "NCAA Frozen Four Records" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved 2013-06-19.
  3. ^ "WCHA All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
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