Ex-Princeton standout Fedun relishes call up to Sabres
NEW YORK >> For those playing hockey at Princeton University, the hope is that the four years spent there will prepare them for an opportunity to play at the next level.
For those pursuing their education at the prestigious Ivy League school, the plan is that not only will they walk away with a degree, but with an ability to be prepared for anything that comes their way.
For Taylor Fedun, doing both came in handy on Tuesday night.
Fedun, a highly decorated fouryear standout for the Tigers, was recalled by the Buffalo Sabres from their American Hockey League affiliate in Rochester only a few hours before their game against the Rangers, and had a hectic day in getting his second opportunity to play in the National Hockey League this season and first in exactly a month.
“Today was such a whirlwind, I didn’t really get a chance to reach out to Princeton classmates that I know are living and working in the area,” Fedun told The Trentonian after recording two shots on goal in 13:01 worth of ice time in Buffalo’s 4-1 win over the Rangers.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough of a heads up to figure anything out there. But it’s special to get to play in that building. (Playing at Madison Square Garden) was a first for me. Maybe (I’ll get to soak it in) now, and maybe I did a little bit in warmup in taking a quick glance out there. But I didn’t want to get consumed by it so I could go out there and perform the way you know you have to.”
The 28-year-old defenseman played at historic Hobey Baker Rink from 2007-11. The mechanical and aerospace engineering major made the ECAC All-Academic Team in all four seasons at Princeton, and was a first-team All-ECAC and All-Ivy defenseman in his senior year, which caught the eye of the Edmonton Oilers, who signed him as an undrafted free agent.
After a devastating leg injury sidelined him for his entire 2011-12 rookie campaign, Fedun worked to make his NHL debut two seasons later, but has been a part of four different organizations over the past four years in trying to stick as a regular at the game’s highest level.
In each of those four seasons, he’s earned games in the NHL — four with Edmonton in 2013-14, seven with San Jose in 2014-15, just one with Vancouver last season and now a career-high nine with Buffalo this year — and has proven himself with 11 points in 21 contests, including four assists for the Sabres.
“It’s been nice to be up here and to be getting that opportunity,” Fedun said. “The organization has had a couple D-men that have had to battle through some injuries, and that’s unfortunately the way it works. For me, it’s been great to jump in and have an opportunity here.”
His stay with the Sabres has been particularly rewarding given he only got to appear in just the one game with the Canucks in 2015-16.
“Last year was a bit of a frustrating year on that front,” he said. “I felt like there were stretches where I’d played some really good hockey, but sometimes that’s the way it works where injuries happen or they don’t at certain times. It’s crazy when opportunities come and when they don’t, but it’s nice to be here after what was a rather limited one last year.”
Another opportunity Fedun has relished lately is to follow his beloved Tigers; his senior class garnered the most wins in program history, but they’d struggled through some lean years after his departure before finally seeming to turn a corner over the six weeks.
“The biggest thing for me has been following on Twitter and some alumni e-mail chains that have been going around,” he said. “It’s been really exciting to see them get some success against some very good programs in the country. They’re 7-2 in their last nine, and I think five of those wins were against top-ten teams and No. 19 Minnesota State. To see that, it’s awesome. I love it.”