Farewell Taylor Chorney
The Chorneys and their dog during the Caps Canine Calendar photoshoot. (Caps Outsider)
Here is a roundup of Taylor Chorney’s time with the Caps, via his No. 1 fan:
Taylor Chorney was signed by the Washington Capitals on July 1st, 2015 to a one year deal worth $700,000. He was brought in as their number seven to slot in behind Nate Schmidt and Dmitry Orlov (oh how the times have changed).
Caps make Chorney signing official. One year, $700,000. He’s insurance for Dmitry Orlov, Nate Schmidt. #CapitalsTalk
— Chuck Gormley (@ChuckGormleyNHL) July 1, 2015
He got noticed after playing five games for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but when he was signed nobody really knew who he was.
“The fella we just signed (Chorney) sounds like a fried item you can buy at a fair.” http://t.co/SyVsLlNFNF
— RMNB (@russianmachine) July 1, 2015
Nothing more was made of the signing since the intentions were to have him as an extra man in case anything happened… and then something happened. Brooks Orpik broke.
#Caps Brooks Orpik out day-to-day w/lower-body injury. Taylor Chorney returns to lineup vs PHI after sitting as healthy scratch last 6 games
— Ben Raby (@BenRaby31) November 12, 2015
The injury began as a day-to-day ordeal so he was called upon as usual to fill in while the injured man got himself ready to reenter the lineup. Only it wasn’t just day-to-day and he found himself becoming a regular in the lineup. It took him only nine games to record his first point.
That would be Taylor Chorney’s first point with the Washington Capitals! Atta boy, Chorns! #CapsStars #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/3osZIrsbY2
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 20, 2015
And only one more game to double it.
#Caps Taylor Chorney has tallied an assist in two consecutive games (11/19-11/21: 2a).
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) November 22, 2015
Every day he would come to practice and wonder if Orpik’s health would have improved enough to sit him back in the press box. Every night he would find himself in the lineup with no indication that he would be removed any time soon.
The left side of the Capitals’ third defensive pairing has been a carousel, but Taylor Chorney has been consistent: https://t.co/5PHTwEgjxZ
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 20, 2016
More importantly however, every game he stepped on the ice he found himself with more fans cheering him on.
I propose a nickname for Taylor Chorney: Hard Work. That guy, man. #caps
— Emily Wright (@EmilyCello) December 27, 2015
Taylor chorney for sure doesnt get the love he deserves (i love him)
— Nico (@NicoR28) January 9, 2016
TAYLOR CHORNEY IS THE BEST PLAYER IN THE NHL
— . (@AWallace39) January 17, 2016
We remember the time he scored his first goal.
Taylor Chorney beats Raanta from the point, first goal since Feb. 15, 2011. It’s 3-1 #Caps.
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) January 17, 2016
And got it taken away. (Damn you, Justin)
Justin Williams deflected Taylor Chorney’s shot, so his goal drought remains. Williams’ 14th goal of the season.
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) January 17, 2016
But soon enough he got the puck to the back of the net once more.
Capitals defenseman Taylor Chorney scored his first goal since Feb 15, 2011
Alex Ovechkin scored 225 goals between Chorney’s goals.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 3, 2016
And a day after welcoming his first son, no less.
Taylor Chorney hopes 2-day-old son Turner will see dad’s first Caps goal on YouTube someday https://t.co/U6FaYpcWdu
— RMNB (@russianmachine) March 3, 2016
We were even blessed with the news of his first multi-year, one-way deal.
#Caps Taylor Chorney said it’s nice to sign two-year extension, after playing under one-year deals each of the past five seasons
— Ben Raby (@BenRaby31) February 19, 2016
The offseason hit and his rollercoaster of a first season with the Capitals came to an end. With an entire summer off, Taylor found himself again as the Capitals seventh defenseman. But brought the season in early when he debuted in De Beauty League as the captain of Sports Digita.
Taylor Chorney is a captain. Travis Boyd and Aaron Ness participate, too. https://t.co/noQJx7Bk5V
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) July 12, 2016
He gave the fans something to cheer about and, uncommon in Caps fans careers, lifted the John Scott Cup.
SportsDigita wins @DaBeautyLeague championship, first ever to hoist the #JohnScottCup https://t.co/mFazzgC22P pic.twitter.com/4kQqGaQEkg
— Jordie ???? (@BarstoolJordie) August 11, 2016
The next season sadly saw his play time cut back with a healthy top 6 but, fans never lost their affinity for him. He even stepped up in the few games he found himself on the ice and brought the Caps a 13-5 records when he played.
Taylor Chorney helped play a part in shutting down Connor McDavid. He joined @tarikcsn postgame! #CapsOilers
WATCH: https://t.co/z30Hn4wHxF pic.twitter.com/G1xfWDKzRF
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) February 25, 2017
The season ended in mirror-like fashion and the offseason followed suit with Taylor lifting his second John Scott Cup.
TJ Oshie and Taylor Chorney are @DaBeautyLeague champions, win John Scott Cup https://t.co/oSqcxSbGoG pic.twitter.com/RYlkevhV3Q
— RMNB (@russianmachine) August 24, 2017
Having Chorney around became a usual thing in the Caps world, even if he wasn’t playing. He entered his third season with the Caps no differently than his first, as the Caps seventh defenseman, except this time around everyone knew who he was.
This story ends sadly, as yesterday at noon we were met with the news that Washington Capitals defenseman, Taylor Chorney, had been put on waivers in order to make room for newly acquired defenseman, Michal Kempny. Twenty-four hours later we were hit again when news broke that he had not cleared waivers, but was taken by the Columbus Blue Jackets. With uncertainty surrounding the look of the Capitals defense come next season and an expiring contract we knew there was a chance we would be parting ways with the lovable Caps seventh defenseman in the near future, but not this soon. 104 games, 4 goals and 23 points in a Capitals sweater taken from us in the blink of an eye. 104 games when we needed someone to fill in when our defense was hurt. 104 games that he got to show everyone that he was more than just an extra skater. 104 games that he got to skate out on the ice with fans cheering for not only the team he represented, but for the player himself. After over two years and almost three full seasons with it breaks our hearts to say this but, good luck on your next journey, Taylor.
P.s. Thank you for being my favorite player of all time. I’ll never forget how special you made not only this season, but every season you played for the Caps.
Gonna miss you, Chorns. pic.twitter.com/szjsqXJoT4
— . (@AWallace39) February 21, 2018