Jeff Taffe (born February 19, 1981, in Hastings, Minnesota) is a center for the Florida Panthers organization. He was drafted in the first round, 30th overall, by the St. Louis Blues in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

After playing three seasons with the University of Minnesota, during which the Blues traded his rights to the Phoenix Coyotes in a deal involving Keith Tkachuk, Taffe made his professional debut with Coyotes' American Hockey League affiliate, the Springfield Falcons, in the 2002–03 season. He also appeared in 20 NHL games with the Coyotes that same season, scoring three goals.

Taffe appeared in 81 games over parts of three seasons with the Coyotes before being traded to the New York Rangers in exchange for Jamie Lundmark during the 2005–06 season. He appeared in two games with the Rangers that season, before being traded back to Phoenix later in the season in exchange for Martin Sonnenberg.

After beginning the 2007–08 season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Taffe was recalled to fill a spot in the roster and has since contributed to the Pittsburgh Penguins fourth line. He remained on the team as a healthy scratch in the playoffs that year as Adam Hall was favored to fill Taffe's fourth line position.

Taffe played a handful of games during the 2008–09 NHL season mainly on a recall only basis and did not permanently stay with the NHL club. He played in Wilkes-Barre for the remainder of the AHL regular season and playoffs. After Wilkes-Barre was eliminated from the AHL playoffs, Taffe was recalled for the Pittsburgh Penguins playoff run and eventual 2009 Stanley Cup Championship. He was on the practice squad but did not play in any games however. His name was not included on the Stanley Cup due to this fact. However, Taffe and a number of other Wilkes-Barre players and healthy scratches took part in the on-ice Stanley Cup celebration and team photo.

Taffe signed a two year, two-way deal worth $1 million ($500,000 per year) with the Florida Panthers on July 3, 2009

Awards

• Minnesota Mr. Hockey (most outstanding senior high school player in Minnesota): 1998–99 season

Regular Season Statistics

Season             Team                    Lge     GP      G       A       Pts     PIM
1998-99 Rochester Mustangs      USHL    17      12      9       21      26
1999-00 U. of Minnesota         NCAA    39      10      10      20      22
2000-01 U. of Minnesota         NCAA    38      12      23      35      56
2001-02 U. of Minnesota         NCAA    43      34      24      58      86
2002-03 Springfield Falcons     AHL     57      23      26      49      44
2002-03 Phoenix Coyotes         NHL     20      3       1       4       4
2003-04 Springfield Falcons     AHL     15      10      6       16      19
2003-04 Phoenix Coyotes         NHL     59      8       10      18      20
2004-05 Utah Grizzlies          AHL     27      9       10      19      35
2005-06 Phoenix Coyotes         NHL     2       0       0       0       0
2005-06 New York Rangers        NHL     2       0       0       0       0
2005-06 Hartford Wolf Pack      AHL     36      6       16      22      34
2005-06 San Antonio Rampage     AHL     33      5       6       11      29
2006-07 San Antonio Rampage     AHL     59      20      20      40      22
2006-07 Phoenix Coyotes         NHL     17      4       2       6       2
2007-08 WBS Penguins            AHL     27      11      10      21      22
2007-08 Pittsburgh Penguins     NHL     45      5       7       12      8
2008-09 Pittsburgh Penguins     NHL     8       0       2       2       2
2008-09 WBS Penguins            AHL     74      25      50      75      65

References

External links