It wasn’t so long ago that Crusader fans were watching Taverner skate around the Sherwood Park Arena in a Crusaders uniform.
Back in 2011, Taverner made his Crusaders and AJHL debut against the St. Albert Steel, after coming through the South Side Athletic Club hockey program. Taverner performed well in his limited duty throughout his first season with the Cru, registering 12 points in 53 games including his first AJHL point against the Calgary Canucks. Taverner’s second year was when the points really started to come; while he skated in fewer games for the team that year, Andrew still scored 32 points falling on three goals short of the 20 goal mark. Year three saw Taverner play in his most games for the Crusaders in a single season (54) while also having his most productive year. That year, the Edmonton native took big strides in his development scoring 28 goals, that being the most he scoring in a single season. Taverner also registered 34 assists bringing his total to 62 points on the year.
Like many Crusaders in the past, Taverner was selected to play in the 2014 World Junior A Challenge for Team Canada West, playing on the same team as former Crusaders goaltender Tommy Nixon. Canada West fell to the Russians in the semi-finals forcing them to compete for the Bronze Medal against Switzerland. The Canadians came out victorious, defeating the Swiss 5-2. Taverner grabbed himself an assist on the Canadians fifth goal, tallying his total at two points in four games.
Following the 2013-14 season, Taverner moved on from the Crusaders and junior hockey to take the next step to the collegiate level, heading to Quinnipiac University in Connecticut – a NCAA Division One team. Taverner recorded 32 points over three seasons and found success along with his teammates in his second year when the team took home the NCAA (ECAC) Championship, defeating Harvard 4-1. After winning the championship, Taverner only spent one more season with the Bobcats before transferring further south to Arizona State University.
Andrew Taverner was a great representative for our program here in Sherwood Park. We wish him all the best with his new team in Arizona and hope to see him around the rink sooner rather than later.