Vintage Minnesota Hockey - History

Mike Taylor has coached hockey or a quarter of a century, beginning with a stint at the College of St. Scholastica, where he played collegiately and graduated in 1985.  Mike also served as team captain for the Saints as a senior.

An Apple Valley graduate, Taylor came back to his alma mater as an assistant coach in 2992 when he took a position teaching american studies at Dakota Hills middle school in Eagan, where he continues to teach today for over 22+ years. Mike would eventually move on to Eagan as an assistant coach before taking the reins of the program in 2002.

During his tenure as the Wildcats head coachm Eagan has won two conference titles, three section championships, four State Tournament appearances, and a third place finish in the 2011 Class AA State Tournament.

Much of the success of his Eagan teams can be attributed to the close working relationship Taylor and his staff has with the youth program in developing players.  They are active in running summer programs, fall clinics and coaches clinics to cultivate a relationship with the youth players and coaches.

"I feel very fortunate to coach in such a welcoming community that has such committed leadership in our youth program", Taylor said.  "This is not my award.  This award belongs to my staff and our youth association Board of Directors".  In addition to Wildcat duties as head coach, Taylor serves the MHCA Executive Board as it's Clinic Coordinator.