It's Taylor, not Tyler
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The debate between Taylor and Tyler has raged on for months, and fans finally have an answer. The Edmonton Oilers have chosen Taylor Hall as their first round draft pick at Friday's NHL draft in Los Angeles. The young winger was all smiles as he was handed the iconic copper and blue jersey.
Back in Edmonton, thousands of fans gathered at Rexall Place watching the draft action on giant screens erupted into cheers.
Despite all the fanfare, Hall remained modest when he later described the moment to reporters.
"I was shaking so much as I sat in the seats... when they called out ‘from the Windsor Spitfires’ my mind went blank. When I got to the stage to put on the Oilers’ jersey, I could barely put it on.”
The Taylor/Tyler debate may have have been a hot topic for months for fans, but Oilers president of hockey operations Kevin Lowe said the decision was an easy one for management from the start. It was the first time the team ever had the number one overall pick, and they knew just how to make the most of it.
“To us, Taylor was a slam dunk... the other kid is a helluva player too, but there was no question in our minds who we were taking. He’s focused and he’s got a winning element to him. All he does is win.”
Hall is excited about his future as an Oiler and thinks he'll be able to make a valuable contribution.
"I would like to think I’ll be a dynamic offensive player in Edmonton. I go to the net, I go into the corners. My drive and intensity is what’s pushed me this far.”
Hall was a member of Canada's 2010 World Junior team and a two time Memorial Cup champion with the Windsor Spitfires. He scored 123 goals and 157 assists in three seasons in the OHL. For more information on his career, click here.
Tyler Seguin was drafted second overall by the Boston Bruins. He admits he's a little disappointed that he didn't get picked first, but says the competition between Hall and himself isn't over yet.
“We’ll still probably be compared once we get to the NHL. That’s fine. We’ve become good friends.”
Did the Oilers make the right choice? Give us your thoughts below.
