Jeff Taffe's journey in professional hockey began after being drafted 30th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. However, he never played for the Blues, as his rights were traded to the Phoenix Coyotes in 2001. Taffe's NHL debut came with the Coyotes during the 2002-2003 season. Over the next few years, he split his time between the NHL and the American Hockey League (AHL), showcasing his skills as a forward.
During his tenure with the Coyotes, Taffe played parts of three seasons, appearing in 82 games and scoring 11 goals with 12 assists. His time in Phoenix was marked by frequent transitions between the NHL and the AHL, where he played for the Springfield Falcons. In the AHL, Taffe demonstrated his scoring ability, which kept him on the radar for NHL call-ups.
In 2005, Taffe was traded to the New York Rangers, but his stint there was brief, and he did not play any NHL games for the team. Instead, he continued to hone his skills in the AHL with the Hartford Wolf Pack. The following year, he signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he found more stability. Taffe played parts of three seasons with the Penguins, contributing to the team with his offensive skills and experience.
While with the Penguins, Taffe also spent significant time with their AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. His performance in the AHL was impressive, as he consistently ranked among the team's top scorers. This success in the AHL earned him several call-ups to the NHL, where he added depth to the Penguins' roster.
In 2009, Taffe signed with the Florida Panthers, where he played a handful of games in the NHL. However, much of his time was spent with the Rochester Americans in the AHL. His role in the AHL continued to be significant, as he provided leadership and scoring prowess to the team.
Taffe's career took him to the Chicago Blackhawks organization in 2010, where he played primarily for their AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. His consistent performance in the AHL was a testament to his skill and adaptability on the ice. In 2011, he joined the Minnesota Wild, where he played a few NHL games but again spent most of his time in the AHL with the Houston Aeros.
Throughout his career, Taffe was known for his ability to contribute offensively, particularly in the AHL, where he was a reliable scorer and playmaker. His professional journey included numerous transitions between teams and leagues, reflecting the challenging nature of maintaining a spot in the NHL. Despite these challenges, Taffe's career in hockey was marked by his perseverance and ability to adapt to different teams and roles.
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