Why does Taylor Hall wear 71?

Taylor Hall is a highly skilled and dynamic professional ice hockey left-winger, playing for the Chicago Blackhawks as of 2024. Taylor Hall started his playing career with the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 2007–08. He had an outstanding rookie season, scoring 45 goals and adding 39 assists for 84 points, which was third in team scoring. He was named OHL Player of the Week twice in March and was named OHL and CHL Rookie of the Year after the season. Taylor continued to excel in the OHL in his second season, scoring 38 goals and adding 52 assists for 90 points. He helped the Spitfires win the Memorial Cup in 2009 and also won the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy for two consecutive years in 2009 and 2010.

Taylor is one of the most decorated Canadian players of his generation. He has won a gold medal at every level of international competition, including the World U18 Championships, Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, World Junior Championships, and Ice Hockey World Championships. Taylor is known for his clutch performances on the international stage. He has won a gold medal for Canada in the 2015 and 2016 Championships. He also won a silver medal at the IIHF Junior Championship in 2010.

Also Read: Where is Taylor Hall born?

Taylor Hall Jersey Number

Taylor Hall currently wears jersey number #71 with the Chicago Blackhawks. He continued with the jersey number that he wore while he was with the Boston Bruins. Taylor Hall wore jersey number #71 with the Boston Bruins because it was a new number for him, and it was the best available option after his previous jersey numbers were unavailable due to being retired. Taylor had previously worn the No. #4 jersey when he was the top overall pick by the Edmonton Oilers in 2010. He continued to wear No. #4 throughout his time with the Oilers and during his brief stint with the Buffalo Sabres. He chose this number because it was Bobby Orr's number, who was his mother's favorite player. The jersey No. #4 in Boston was retired in Bobby Orr's honor, so Taylor could not wear it. Since the Bruins had retired Hall's prior numbers, he was forced to wear the No. #71 jersey, which had been worn by Marc Savard, a former teammate, in 2007.

Taylor Hall’s Professional Career

Taylor started his professional career in 2010 when he joined the Edmonton Oilers. He made his NHL debut in the 2010–11 season and quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young players in the league. He scored 22 goals and added 20 assists in his rookie season and was named to his first NHL All-Star Game. Hall continued to improve in his second season, scoring 27 goals and adding 26 assists for 53 points.

Taylor had a breakout season in the 2017–18 season, scoring 39 goals and adding 54 assists for 93 points. He was named to his fourth NHL All-Star Game and finished first in voting for the Hart Memorial Trophy. Taylor was traded to the New Jersey Devils in 2016. He spent four seasons with the Devils, scoring 76 goals and 132 assists in 211 games.

Taylor was traded to the Arizona Coyotes in 2019. He played one season with the Coyotes, scoring 10 goals and 17 assists in 35 games. He signed with the Buffalo Sabres in 2021 and scored 2 goals and 19 points in his brief stint with them. He then signed with the Bruins and spent three seasons there. In 2023, Taylor was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks. Hall is still only 32 years old, and he has a chance to go down as one of the greatest players in NHL history.