Taylor Girard Bio
Taylor Girard (born July 17, 1998) is an American professional ice hockey forward who currently plays in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). A left-shooting forward listed at 5 ft 10 in, she has built a reputation as a steady scorer and a reliable playmaker since entering the professional ranks in 2021. Girard first gained national attention as the first overall pick in the 2021 NWHL Draft, and she later claimed PHF Newcomer of the Year honors during her rookie season. She currently plays for the New York Sirens in the PWHL, where she has continued to add to her resume with historic scoring performances.
Early Life and Background
Taylor Girard was born on July 17, 1998, in Macomb Township, Michigan. Growing up in a hockey-active region of the United States, she developed her game locally before transitioning into organized collegiate competition. Her path into competitive hockey reflects the steady progression of a late-blooming talent who refined her skills through structured training and high-level competition.
Girard attended Lindenwood University, where she began her collegiate hockey career during the 2016–17 season. As a freshman, she appeared in all 33 games and led the Lions with 80 shots on goal while recording three goals and one assist. She scored her first collegiate goal on October 1, 2016, against Minnesota, signaling the early promise that would eventually carry her to the professional level.
Path to Hockey
At Lindenwood, Girard developed into one of the most consistent scorers in College Hockey America (CHA). During her sophomore year in 2017–18, she led Lindenwood with 13 goals and 24 points in 25 games, earning CHA Player of the Month honors for December 2017 and a first-team all-CHA selection at season’s end.
On May 20, 2019, Girard announced her transfer to Quinnipiac, where she finished her collegiate career. Across 105 NCAA games at both schools, she recorded 32 goals and 37 assists. Her scoring touch and hockey IQ at the collegiate level set the stage for her selection as the first overall pick in the 2021 NWHL Draft by the Connecticut Whale.
Taylor Girard Career
Early Career (2016–2021)
Girard’s early competitive career centered on her time at Lindenwood and Quinnipiac. At Lindenwood, she recorded 19 goals and 16 assists in 66 games across three seasons, establishing herself as a top offensive contributor. Her progression reflected a player who grew into a leadership role with each passing year.
After transferring to Quinnipiac, Girard posted six goals and 12 assists in 24 games during her redshirt junior year, followed by seven goals and nine assists in 15 games during her senior season. She ranked second on the team in scoring as a senior, finishing her college career with 32 goals and 37 assists in 105 games.
Connecticut Whale Era (2021–2023)
On June 29, 2021, Girard was selected first overall by the Connecticut Whale in the 2021 NWHL Draft. She signed with the Whale on July 15, 2021, and immediately made an impact during her rookie 2021–22 campaign. She recorded 11 goals and 13 assists in 20 games, tied for third in league scoring with 24 points, and won the PHF Newcomer of the Year award.
In 2022–23, Girard elevated her production with ten goals and a league-leading 18 assists in 24 games. She also led the PHF with four short-handed goals and ranked among the league leaders in points (28), assists (18), and power play goals (4). On May 10, 2023, she and the Whale renegotiated her contract to a reported $110,000 for the 2023–24 season before the PHF ceased operations on June 29, 2023.
Boston Fleet Era (2023–2025)
Girard was selected 51st overall by PWHL Boston in the 2023 PWHL Draft and signed a two-year contract on November 8, 2023. During the 2023–24 season, she recorded four goals and two assists in 23 regular-season games before suffering a season-ending injury on April 27, 2024, against PWHL Minnesota that kept her out of the playoffs.
Her time in Boston was shortened on January 20, 2025, when she was traded to the New York Sirens in exchange for Jill Saulnier. Prior to the deal, she had been scoreless in five games for the Fleet. She finished the 2024–25 season with one goal and three points in 23 games between the two clubs.
New York Sirens Era (2025–Present)
On June 18, 2025, Girard signed a one-year contract extension with the New York Sirens. She quickly became a key contributor for New York, recording a career-high seven goals and one assist in 17 games during the 2025–26 season. Her scoring surge included a historic performance on November 22, 2025, against the Ottawa Charge.
Playing Style and Strengths
Girard plays a skilled, intelligent game built on positioning, finishing, and hockey sense. She reads the play well in the offensive zone, capitalizes on power-play opportunities, and contributes on the penalty kill, as evidenced by her PHF-leading four short-handed goals in 2022–23. Her combination of size at 5 ft 10 in and a quick release allows her to play both a scoring role and a secondary playmaking role across multiple lines.
Notable Events and Milestones
On November 22, 2025, Girard recorded a natural hat trick in the third period against Ottawa, scoring all three goals on goaltender Gwyneth Phillips. She became the second player in PWHL history to record a natural hat trick and the first player in PWHL history to score three goals in a single period, cementing her place in the league’s record books.
Taylor Girard Career Highlights
Across the PHF and PWHL, Taylor Girard has built a consistent record of offensive production and milestone achievements. She was the first overall pick in the 2021 NWHL Draft, won the PHF Newcomer of the Year award in 2022, and set multiple PWHL scoring records during the 2025–26 season.
Connecticut Whale Highlights
During her two seasons with the Connecticut Whale (2021–2023), Girard played in 44 regular-season games, recording 21 goals and 31 assists for 52 points. She finished tied for third in PHF scoring in 2021–22 with 24 points and led the league in assists (18) and short-handed goals (4) in 2022–23.
PWHL Highlights
In the PWHL, Girard has suited up for the Boston Fleet and the New York Sirens. She registered four goals and two assists in 23 games with Boston in 2023–24 before being traded to New York in January 2025. In 2025–26, she posted a career-high seven goals and one assist in 17 games, highlighted by her record-setting natural hat trick against Ottawa.
Taylor Girard Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Taylor Girard was raised in Macomb Township, Michigan, a region known for its strong youth hockey programs. Her early development in Michigan helped shape her path toward collegiate and professional hockey.
Personal Life
Taylor Girard is a United States citizen and is known to keep her personal life largely private. She continues her professional hockey career in the PWHL, where she has become one of the league’s notable offensive talents.
2025 Season Performance
Taylor Girard split the 2024–25 PWHL season between the Boston Fleet and the New York Sirens after being traded on January 20, 2025. She finished the campaign with one goal and three points in 23 games between the two teams, contributing to a Sirens roster that benefited from her steady two-way play. Her midseason adjustment period gave way to stronger form as she became more comfortable within New York’s system.
On June 18, 2025, Girard signed a one-year contract extension with the Sirens, signaling the club’s confidence in her offensive upside. She responded with a breakout 2025–26 campaign, recording a career-high seven goals and one assist in 17 games. Her historic natural hat trick on November 22, 2025, against the Ottawa Charge underscored her finishing ability and cemented her status as one of the league’s premier scorers.
Looking ahead to the remainder of the 2025–26 PWHL season, Girard remains a central offensive option for the New York Sirens. Her combination of scoring touch, penalty-kill reliability, and playoff experience positions her as a key contributor as the Sirens pursue a postseason push.
