Ex-Fighting Sioux star Taylor Chorney signs 3 year deal

Here is the official announcement from the Edmonton Oilers home page. Goon's World would like to wish Taylor good luck at the next level and make us proud. While I hate to see players leave early for the professional ranks, Chorney like T.J. Oshie had accomplished all they could at the college level and it is time to move on to the next level.

Edmonton Oilers Press Release Jul 3, 2008, 2:00 PM EDT Chorney Kevin Prendergast, the Edmonton Oilers Vice President of Hockey Operations, announced today that the team has signed defenceman Taylor Chorney to a three-year entry level contract.

“Taylor brings a mature leadership quality to our organization,” stated Prendergast. “His past success in college and on the world stage will certainly be a benefit to him in the next step of his career.”

Chorney, the Oilers’ second choice (36th overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, completed his third season of collegiate hockey with the University of North Dakota in 2007-08. In 43 games with the Fighting Sioux, the 6’0”, 196 pound native of Hastings, Minnesota finished sixth in team scoring with 24 points, netting three goals and 21 assists in 43 games.

A two-time Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) all-star, the 21-year-old defenceman was named to the conference’s first all-star team and helped lead North Dakota to the NCAA Frozen Four tournament this season. Chorney was named to the American Hockey Coaches Association second team west All-American team in 2006-07 after scoring 8-23-31 with 48 penalty minutes in 39 games.

During his three seasons with the Fighting Sioux, Chorney scored 14-59-73 with 126 penalty minutes in 126 games.

Not only was he a standout talent with North Dakota, Chorney also was a key member with Team USA on the international stage. He played for the United States at the 2006 and 2007 IIHF World Junior Championships and captained the 2007 team to a bronze medal with a 2-1 victory over Sweden. Chorney was also chosen as captain of the United States Under-17 and Under-18 national teams.

Chorney, who skated at the Oilers Development Camp in June, will return to Edmonton in September for the team’s training camp.


SEASON TEAM LEAGUE GP G A PTS PM
2005-06 U of North Dakota WCHA 44 3 15 18 54
2006-07 U of North Dakota WCHA 39 8 23 31 48
2007-08 U of North Dakota WCHA 43 3 21 24 24
COLLEGIATE TOTALS 126 14 59 73 126