By Steve Fitzsimmons /

For Windsor Spitfires LW Taylor Hall, the dream of being drafted first overall is now a reality.
His pre-NHL resume is now as impressive as can be.

Hall led the Spitfires to back-to-back Memorial Cup titles and was named the tournament MVP in both seasons. He was also very impressive at the World Juniors and tied for the Ontario Hockey League scoring title.

The dynamic forward worked very hard to improve his game, this season.

“I knew I had some weaknesses and one of them was my D-zone play,” he said. “Being a winger, it’s a little bit stressful in the defensive zone, but I like to think I hold my own and it all comes from being accountable. You’ve got to be a good team guy. When you’re down 1-0, you’ve got to score a goal; but when you’re up 1-0, it’s more important to prevent a goal. I feel I’ve played really well defensively and have been out there in a lot of different situations.
My D-zone has really stepped up this year and hopefully that will help me make the transition, but we’ll have to see when I go to the NHL camp what kind of player I am and if I can make it.”

E.J. McGuire of NHL Central Scouting says Hall is really going to excite Edmonton fans.

“Taylor Hall is just an amazing, skilled player who brings people out of their seats,” said McGuire. “He’s an entertaining, drive-to-the-net type of guy. You might be looking at say, a Zach Parise or maybe a Kovalchuk type of excitement. In quickness of moves, maybe Patrick Kane.”

Colorado Avalanche winger T.J. Galiardi has a unique perspective to offer on Hall, as he lived in the same Calgary neighborhood as Hall growing up.

“Hallsy and I lived pretty close together and our parents were good friends,” said Galiardi.
“He’s four or five years younger than I, so if his parents went out, I’d go to his house and we’d play hockey for a few hours in his backyard and watch TV. His dad made a solid outdoor rink that we would play games on. He’d even strap the pads on for us.

“Their family moved to Ontario, but our dads still kept in touch and within a couple years, Hallsy was in the OHL. He obviously had a lot of success there and, last summer, he was in town for a few weeks, so we got together and skated a few times. He’d developed a ton and it was almost weird skating with him and hearing he was a potential first overall pick, since the last time I saw him—he was just a kid. But it’s a testament to him and his family. I’m proud of him for all he has accomplished and I’m looking forward to playing against him in the NHL.”

As for whom Hall compares himself to style-wise, he agrees with McGuire and his assessment.

“If I had to say, it would probably be Zach Parise in just the way he plays; but Pavel Bure has always been my favourite player. I love watching his YouTube videos and the stuff he did is pretty amazing.”

Fans can now look forward to Hall creating his own NHL YouTube moments, coming soon to an NHL rink near you.