Former Gopher Jake Taylor signed by Falcons.

Former Golden Gophers defenseman Jake Taylor has signed a professional contract with the Springfield Falcons. The Springfield Falcons are the farm club of the Edmonton Oilers.

Springfield, MA – The Springfield Falcons, proud members of the American Hockey League, announced today that they have signed defenseman Jake Taylor to a two-year standard American Hockey League contract.

Taylor spent the 2007-08 season with the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack collecting three goals and 10 assists for 13 points and 129 penalty minutes in 77 games played. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound native of Rochester, Minnesota ranked second on the Wolf Pack last year in games played by a defenseman and he also had a plus/minus rating of +15.

“Jake is a big, strong, physical defenseman who has the reputation of being tough to play against,” said Falcons president and general manager Bruce Landon. “Along with the physical presence he will add to our team, Jake also brings some valuable experience and leadership to our blueline.”

Taylor will be entering his fifth season of professional hockey and he has played in a total of 201 career AHL contests collecting four goals and 25 assists for 29 points and 442 penalty minutes. Prior to turning pro, Taylor spent the 2003-04 campaign with the University of Minnesota where he helped lead the Golden Gophers to a WCHA Tournament Championship. Taylor was originally drafted by the New York Rangers in the sixth round (177th overall) in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.