Dylan Taylor has officially stepped down as head coach of the UPEI men's hockey team.
And two of his assistants have also left the Atlantic University Sport conference squad.
Ron?Annear, director of athletics for the university, made the announcement Tuesday.
Annear expressed regret at Taylor's decision and praised him for his work with the program over the past five years.
"Dylan Taylor is one of the finest individuals I know," said Annear. "From the moment he arrived on campus as a student-athlete through to his years as coach, he put all his energy into rebuilding the men's hockey program with character, accountability and pride. The university is very proud of what Dylan has accomplished and wishes him the very best."
Assistant coaches Gordie Whitlock and Mike Smith have also resigned while assistant Dave Flanagan, who ran practice Tuesday, remains.
Taylor feels that it is time to move on.
"I have given it everything I had and operated in a fashion I believe in," said Taylor. "You have to trust your core values, your beliefs and your instincts, and now it's time for me to move on to new challenges."
Taylor, who played four seasons with the team, said he was "very appreciative" of his time with the UPEI program.
"It's been an opportunity of a lifetime - one I will cherish always. I wish to thank the players, coaches, alumni, friends and university administration for their effort and support during the past five years. We had a vision of what UPEI hockey could be again and I'm proud of what we were able to accomplish. I wish the team all the best as it works toward its goal of winning AUS/CIS championships."
UPEI is coming off a pair of home-ice losses, falling 7-4 to Dal and 5-1 to St. F.X., dropping to 4-4-2 on the season and into fifth place.
The Panthers play the nation's No. 1-ranked team and reigning University Cup champion UNB?Varsity?Reds (10-0) Friday night at MacLauchlan Arena and meet third-ranked Saint Mary's Huskies (7-2) Sunday, also at The Mac.
Panther captain Thomas Waugh said Taylor did much with the program.
"Coach Taylor has grown the program tremendously for the better and leaves it in a better situation than when he arrived," said the Summerside native.
Annear said he will appoint an interim head coach in the near future.
"We're looking at the short term and the long term," said Annear. "We want to make sure we have the best fit."
Prior to taking over at UPEI, Taylor was an assistant coach with the P.E.I. Rocket of the QMJHL. He is a graduate of the OHL's Kingston Frontenacs and played professionally for the Indianapolis Ice of the International?Hockey League.
As a player with UPEI, Taylor was twice named an Academic All-Canadian and was a three-time recipient of the Panther Pride Award.
