Taylor Girard

Taylor Girard (born July 17, 1998) is an American professional ice hockey forward for PWHL Boston of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). She previously played for the Connecticut Whale of the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF). She was drafted first overall in the 2021 NWHL Draft.

College career
Girard began her collegiate career for Lindenwood during the 2016–17 season. During her freshman year, she recorded three goals and one assist in 33 games. She scored her first career goal and point on October 1, 2016, in a game against Minnesota. She was one of five players to appear in all 33 games and led the team with 80 shots on goal. During the 2017–18 season in her sophomore year, she recorded 13 goals and 11 assists in 25 games. She led the team in goals (13) and points (24). She was named the CHA Player of the Month for the month of December 2017, after she led Lindenwood with three goals and two assists during the Lion's four games in the month. Following the season she was named first-team all-CHA. During the 2018–19 season in her junior year, she recorded three goals and four assists in eight games.

On May 20, 2019, Girard announced she was transferring to Quinnipiac. She finished her career at Lindendwood with 19 goals and 16 assists in 66 games. During the 2019–20 season in her redshirt junior year, she recorded six goals and 12 assists in 24 games. During the 2020–21 season in her senior year, she recorded seven goals and nine assists in 15 games, and ranked second on the team in scoring. She finished her collegiate career with 32 goals and 37 assists in 105 games.

Professional career
On June 29, 2021, Girard was drafted first overall by the Connecticut Whale in the 2021 NWHL Draft. On July 15, 2021, she signed with the Whale. During the 2021–22 season in her rookie year, she recorded 11 goals and 13 assists in 20 games and was named the PHF Newcomer of the Year. She finished the season tied for third in points (24), sixth in goals (11), tied for fifth in assists (13), and tied for second in game-winning goals (4).

During the 2022–23 season, she recorded ten goals and 18 assists in 24 games. She led the league in short-handed goals (4) and ranked in the top four in the PHF in points (28), assists (18), and power play goals (4). On May 10, 2023, the Whale and Girard renegotiated her contract, agreeing to a $110,000 contract for the 2023–24 season. The PHF ceased operations on June 29, 2023.

On September 18, 2023, Girard was drafted 51st overall by PWHL Boston in the 2023 PWHL Draft. On November 8, 2023, she signed a two-year contract with Boston.