by Carlynn Claypool | AHL On The Beat
Since being drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in 2021, Taylor Makar has been often called “Cale’s youthful brother.”
Now, the Colorado Eagles ahead is exhibiting the hockey world what he can do.
Makar, whose brother is the two-time Norris Trophy-winning defenseman for the Avalanche, made his skilled debut with the Eagles late within the 2024-25 season, scoring one purpose in 5 regular-season video games after ending his faculty profession on the College of Maine.
He spent three years on the College of Massachusetts-Amherst earlier than transferring to Maine on the lookout for a change of tempo, leading to a breakout senior season with 18 objectives and 30 factors in 38 video games.
Within the first 16 video games of his rookie season with the Eagles, Makar has tallied one purpose and three assists, and he has been recalled by the Avalanche twice. He made his NHL debut on Nov. 1 – the spotlight of his profession thus far.
“Getting that chance to play with my brother was fairly superior,” Makar mentioned. “The entire workforce was actually welcoming, which was nice.”
Makar’s capacity to open up the ice and create alternatives hasn’t gone unnoticed by his teammates, who’ve mentioned they suppose it’s superior he’s getting known as up at this level in his profession.
“He’s an enormous energy ahead,” mentioned Eagles captain Jayson Megna. I like the best way he skates; he’s not afraid to make use of his physique. He’s a north-south participant, and he’s actually efficient when he will get in on the forecheck, creates loads of issues for his or her ‘D’ and scoring possibilities for our workforce.”
Makar joined a tight-knit Eagles group, however after coaching camp and beginning the common season with the workforce, he’s settled in.
He’s bonded probably the most with the younger gamers who joined Colorado within the playoffs final yr, significantly rookie defensemen Hank Kempf and Connor Kelley. Bonding with the workforce has given Makar the prospect to open up and present extra of his persona across the guys.
“He’s a very easy-going child, he’s form of a jokester in a way,” Megna mentioned. “He’s grown that method within the locker room as nicely, simply getting some confidence, attending to know the fellows, and it’s been good to see him open up this yr versus coming right into a workforce final yearwhere everybody (already) was so shut.”
Off the ice, Makar described himself as a lighthearted, humorous individual, and he has fairly a number of hobbies.
“I really like music, love golf, fishing; I’m an enormous fisherman. Something on the lake, hanging out, something like that,” the Calgary native mentioned. “I really like rap, nation, the oldies; I make a bit of little bit of music only for enjoyable. It began with my cousin some time in the past… I don’t do it an excessive amount of anymore, but it surely’s nonetheless enjoyable.”
Whereas Makar doesn’t plan to pursue music as an alternative of hockey, his teammates have seen him sometimes making music whereas the workforce is on the highway. Megna mentioned that in the future Makar would possibly even get placed on aux.
However on the finish of the day, Makar hopes folks bear in mind him for greater than objectives or call-ups; he desires to be often called a superb teammate who stayed true to himself on and off the ice.
“I’d like to win numerous issues,” Makar mentioned, “however general, simply be a fantastic teammate, nice individual, assist develop the sport, assist develop different peoples’ video games as nicely, and make an impression that method.”
