Two recent articles about the Port Moody Black Panthers hockey team included comments referring to former goalie Nick Taylor as "disgruntled" and a "hold-out."
In response, Taylor, who was traded to Vancouver's Grandview Steelers, offered his side of the story: "I was not a disgruntled goalie," he wrote in an email. "I can honestly say that I had the best coach of my life and learned an immeasurable amount last year from Port Moody's coach, Ron Johnson. The Port Moody players are a great group of guys and I did not make the decision to request a trade lightly. I still remain close with most of the guys.
"I never once told Ron Luniw [the club's general manager], I would not play for him or would hold out until a trade happened. I told him I was all his until a trade had been finalized. Mr. Luniw had mentioned to me earlier this year that there were teams interested in my services in a trade or financial acquisition. I approached Mr. Luniw in private and expected to keep the information private. Instead Mr. Luniw decided to take our private conversation to the dressing room, suspended me from playing and involved the media in labelling me a 'hold-out and 'disgruntled.'
"I leave Port Moody with many fond memories of the fan support, great teammates and the exceptional run we had last season."
