Jeff Taffe was born February 19, 1981 in Hastings, Minnesota. The first round, 30th overall selection of the St. Louis Blues in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, Taffe is a graduate of the WCHA's University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.
A standout player for Hastings High School, Taffe was named the Minnesota High School Player of the Year in 1999 after recording 90 points (39-51-90) in only 28 games. Taffe joined the University of Minnesota in 99-2000 and spent three seasons with the team increasing his offensive production each season. In his final season with the Golden Gophers, the Hastings, Minnesota native scored 34 goals and finished with 58 points while leading his team to the 2002 NCAA Championship.
St. Louis' first pick in the 2000 draft, Taffe wouldn't get the opportunity to skate for the Blues instead he was dealt to the Pheonix Coyotes at the trading deadline in 2001. After three seasons at the University of Minnesota, Taffe joined the AHL's Springfield Falcons in 2002-03 and registered 49 points (23-26-49) in 57 games while seeing limited action with the parent club in Phoenix.
In 2003-04, Taffe continued to hone his skills in the AHL, however spent most the season with the Coyotes. Early in the 2005-06 season, Taffe was acquired by the New York Rangers.
As a member of the New York Rangers, Taffe would spend the majority of his season with the club's AHL affiliate in Hartford before being traded back to Phoenix. In 26 games with the Coyotes, Taffe registered six points before signing a two-year contract with the Pittsburg Penguins in the summer of 2007
On the international stage, Taffe represented the U.S. at the World Junior Championships (2000-2001).
In the summer of 2009, Taffe signed on with the Florida Panthers as an unrestricted free agent.
After just one year in Florida Taffe was traded by the Panthers to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Marty Reasoner.
