| Tai York | Cobourg Cougars | OJHL | L | LW | 6’1″ | 174 | Barrie Colts | 2020 | Niagra on the Lake, ON | 2004 | Not yet rated |
OJHL: Lindsay Muskies and the Cobourg Cougars, December 17, 2021: Great sized and heads up player that can skate well with the puck considering he’s one of the bigger players on the ice. York showed his hockey IQ early in the game when he was released from the penalty box, skated hard for a loose puck and a fast break the other way. He ends up on the scoreboard being able to bully his way into a scoring area. York keeps his head up when moving at his top speed ready to make a play or to be more specific, slip it back door like he did for one of his assists. Grade: A
OJHL: Cobourg Cougars vs Wellington Dukes, December 7, 2021: Tai is a rookie in this league but has played last year in the Covid shortened season of the USPHL for the Charlotte Rush where he showed he can score. He played 23 games, scored 19 goals and assisted on 21 others. He has adjusted to this league and is beginning to gain confidence. This is evident as York’s point totals have jumped from three in the first 7 games to 13 in the past ten games. He has a bit of a swagger in his warm-up and seems to be making more natural hockey plays like someone who knows he belongs.
OJHL Showcase, December 1, 2021: Tai was all offense and he was good at it. As the game progressed, he gained intensity and compete and finished the game with a barrage of offensive opportunities that he created. Tai was in the right place, driving the net, and also by driving the puck to the net which resulted in a 3rd period goal when he was in tight and showed great skill. He is a strong skater with good speed with a good first few strides. He doesn’t waste a lot of energy chasing, instead he anticipates well in all (3) zones. His edge work is good but not glaring. He has soft hands and a quick stick in the offensive zone. Stick handled very well and loves the puck; it seemed to find his stick a lot. Tai’s vision and hockey IQ was very good. He seemed to be constantly aware of who was around him in all zones. Because of this, he was able to make very good passes and support his teammates in tight battles. He also avoided a few big hits by being omni aware of where everyone was on the ice. In his zone, his vision forced the opposition into their 2nd and 3rd assigned options. He did not get involved in the physical play, but he didn’t shy away from it either. He showed very good compete and a good sense for the net. A 2004 playing big minutes and a key role with 2001-04’s. Grade: B+
Cottage Cup. OJHL and CCHL., October 7, 2021: Tai has a knack for scoring as his understanding of the offensive game is at a high level. He is a shooter first followed closely as a passer or giver. He is still adjusting to playing against older players but is now learning to avoid checks and staying on his feet when hit as he used to be on the seat of his pants often when hit. His stick skills on offense are better than average with a very quick and accurate shot. Although he didn’t score today, he did put himself in scoring positions and will soon figure it out here in Cobourg. Needs to get stronger and a step faster so he will have a little more time and space to accomplish what will be inevitable. Will become a high scorer in this league and sooner rather than later
2004s: OMHA Championship, March 25, 2020: York is a speedy, agile, puck possession type of player that can take on dual roles of playmaker and finisher, with time and space. He especially excels at maintaining possession in corners during the low cycle and has the edgework and hockey sense to forecast appropriate times to exit the cycle and head for open ice in the slot. He gains speed through his crossovers in the neutral zone and looks to gain zone entries wide and feed trailers or take the puck to the net with speed. His stickwork is very good as he can deliver and pick up passes on the forehand and backhand with relative ease. Defensively, he is patient and follows a consistent and reliable model of getting in lanes and tying up sticks. With room to grow physically and undoubted talent and vision, York’s game should successfully translate well at the next level. Grade: B+
2004s: Toronto Marlies Classic, February 2020: York is a nifty winger/center with good footspeed and reach. When York gets pace through the neutral zone he is difficult to handle on the rush. He has good size and touch around the net and is often first into the good scoring areas. He showed a great first touch on the puck and hands in close and created offense on most shifts. Grade: B+
2004s: Toronto Titans Early Bird Tournament, September 24, 2019: York has good size, good speed, and spent a lot of time around the puck. A north-south forward who looked strong on the forecheck and played a gritty game. He competed hard to get to the net and engaged defenders physically if they got in his way. We liked his poise on the boards and his willingness to hang in and take a hit to make a pass in transition. A lanky forward who is still growing and filling out we are interested to York’s progress this season. Grade: B-
U16: Junior Chowder Cup, August 6, 2019: York has good quickness for a player who is 5’9 120. Clearly there is no weight on his frame that is holding him back which allows him to take long strides and change direction at a moment’s notice. He also has an active stick in the neutral zone and offensive zone which makes it tough to sneak by him because he is always looking to create a turnover and turn it into offense. We didn’t get to see a ton of his game but he did make an impression on the shifts we watched. Grade: C+
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images