The Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) have announced the hiring of Taylor Makin as the team?s new Assistant Coach.
A Bandit alumnus who won an AJHL and National Championship with Brooks in the 2012-13 season, Makin returns to the organization in a coaching position after spending half of the 2019-20 season as an assistant coach with the Grande Prairie Storm.
?I?m grateful for Bandits Head Coach and General Manager Ryan Papaioannou and the organization for giving me the opportunity to continue my coaching career with one of the top junior programs in the country,? said Makin.
?I?m also very excited about returning to Brooks, I really enjoyed my time here. The fans, community, billets and organization treated me so well. I can?t wait to begin and start working with our group. I?m looking forward to learning from Ryan and contributing in any way I can.?
Makin skated with Brooks in the 2012-13 season, posting 50 points (18G, 32A) in 50 regular season games. He followed that with 16 points (7G, 9A) in 17 playoff games, capturing the 2013 AJHL Championship. He appeared in 6 games at the 2013 Western Canada Cup in Nanaimo, BC, producing 3 points (1G, 2A) in 6 games. At the 2013 RBC Cup in Summerside, PEI, he had 4 points (4A) in 5 games, helping the Bandits win their first National Championship.
?I am excited to bring back an alumnus to the program that not only wore the jersey but was part of the first National Championship team in Brooks,? said Papaioannou.
?Taylor was such a key player in 2013 leading by example with his work ethic, grit and team first attitude.?
Following his time in Brooks, Makin attended and played for Acadia University (USports), scoring 25 points (10G, 15A) in 83 games with the Axemen. He spent the 2018-19 season as a pro with Brest in France and had 16 points (8G, 8A) in 12 games. He then played 11 games with the Evansville Thunderbolts of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL), posting 7 points (3G, 4A).
?Since leaving Brooks he?s been gaining experience as a player at the University and Pro level while stepping into coaching last season in the AJHL. He is motivated to learn as a young coach but already possesses many teaching skills that he will bring to our organization,? added Papaioannou.
?He?s detailed with video breakdowns and presentation along with viewing the game very similar to the way we have been playing for years. We?ve been working together on philosophy and implementing ideas for a couple weeks and our players will be really happy with the energy Taylor brings to the team. His responsibilities will be wide ranging with a focus on our defencemen and penalty kill. Through the interview process I was impressed with his maturation over the years and look forward to working him this season.?
Prior to his playing career in Brooks, Makin played 178 games in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Prince George Cougars and Vancouver Giants.
The Bandits would like to welcome Makin back to Brooks and congratulate him on his new role.
The Bandits are also accepting resumes for an additional Assistant Coach position, contact Ryan Papaioannou at ryan@brooksbandits.ca.