Buffalo Sabres History: Who Wore It, Number 24
Taylor Pyatt currently plays with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the sixth team of his NHL career. Ten years ago, however, he was here, in Buffalo, playing with the Sabres, and wearing jersey number 24.
April 29, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Phoenix Coyotes left wing Taylor Pyatt (14) carries the puck in game two of the 2012 Western Conference semifinals at Jobing.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
TAYLOR PYATT
Left wing, b. 1981
Acquired via trade by the Sabres, 2001
After several seasons with the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves, Pyatt joined the New York Islanders for the 2000-2001 season after being drafted by the team 8th overall in 1999. The Thunder Bay native had 18 points (4-14) in 78 games with the Islanders that season.
In the only trade of his NHL career, Pyatt came to the Sabres along with teammate Tim Connolly on June 24, 2001. The two were traded to Buffalo in exchange for the rights to Michael Peca.
Pyatt spent the next four seasons with the Sabres organization – excluding the lockout year, of course. His best year with Buffalo came in 2002-03, when he scored 28 points in 78 games. Pyatt’s final season in Buffalo was 2005-2006, when he had 12 points (6-6) in 41 regular season games and five assists in 14 playoff games.
He went on to join the Vancouver Canucks for the next three seasons, putting up some of his best numbers yet. He scored 23 goals in 2006-07, a career-high, and notched 37 points in two of his three seasons with Vancouver. Pyatt eventually left the Canucks after the death of his fiancee in a car accident in Jamaica.
Next, it was off to Phoenix for three seasons from 2009 until 2012. Then, Pyatt suited up in the Broadway Blue with the New York Rangers from 2012 until January 2014, when the Pittsburgh Penguins claimed him off waivers.
Pyatt had four goals in 34 regular season games with the Penguins this season.
Other Sabres to wear #24: Robyn Regehr, Paul Byron, Paul Kruse, Dane Jackson, Philippe Boucher, Randy Moller, Jay Wells, Mike Donnelly, Steve Smith, Ed Hospodar, Bill Hajt, Gary Bromley, Peter McNab, Randy Wyrozub, John Gould, Ron Busniuk, Chris Evans, Ray McKay, Jean-Guy Talbot, Butch Deadmarsh