John Tavares facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Tavares
Tavares with the Toronto Maple Leafs in October 2022
Born	(1990-09-20) September 20, 1990 (age 34) Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	216 lb (98 kg; 15 st 6 lb)
Position	Centre
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	Toronto Maple Leafs New York Islanders SC Bern
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	1st overall, 2009 New York Islanders
Playing career	2009–present

John Tavares (born September 20, 1990) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He plays as a forward and is an alternate captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the National Hockey League (NHL). In the 2009 NHL entry draft, he was picked first overall by the New York Islanders. He played nine seasons with the Islanders and was their captain for five years. He also served as captain for the Maple Leafs from 2019 to 2024.

Before joining the NHL, Tavares played major junior hockey for the Oshawa Generals and the London Knights. He was allowed to play in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) at just 14 years old. This was because he was given "exceptional player status." He was named the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Rookie of the Year in 2006. In 2007, he became the CHL Player of the Year. Tavares finished his junior career with the most goals (215) in OHL history.

Tavares has played for Canada in many international tournaments. He won gold medals at the 2008 and 2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He was named the most valuable player of the 2009 tournament. He also won a gold medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Early Life and Hockey Start

John Tavares was born on September 20, 1990, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. His parents are Barbara and Joe Tavares. His family has roots in Poland and Portugal. When he was very young, John moved to Oakville, Ontario. This is where he first started playing minor hockey.

Tavares also played soccer and lacrosse. He was very competitive, even as a child. He was excellent at lacrosse, just like his uncle, John Tavares. His uncle is the all-time scoring leader in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). John even worked as a ball boy for his uncle's NLL team, the Buffalo Bandits. Tavares says his uncle taught him to be unselfish. He believes that skills from lacrosse, like spinning away from defenders, helped him become a better hockey player.

In Oakville, Tavares went to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School. He lived close to Sam Gagner, who also became an NHL player. They became good friends. Sam's dad, former NHL player Dave Gagner, built an ice rink in their backyard. Tavares spent a lot of time there practicing his hockey skills. Tavares also focused on his schoolwork. He earned honors and was named the Oshawa Generals' Scholastic Player of the Year in 2007–08. He also spends time helping with the Special Olympics.

Tavares showed great hockey talent from a young age. When he was seven, his parents moved him up to play with older children. He played for the Mississauga Braves and then the Mississauga Senators. With the Senators, he won a championship in the 1999–2000 season. Later, Tavares joined the Toronto Marlboros. In the 2003–04 season, he played with his friend Sam Gagner. He scored 95 goals and 187 points in 90 games. He helped the Marlboros win the 2004 Bantam AAA Provincial Hockey Championships. He was named the tournament's top forward. The next season, he scored 91 goals and 158 points in 72 games. He also played 16 games with the Milton Icehawks at just 13 years old. This made him one of the youngest players ever to play junior hockey.

Playing Career

Junior Hockey Years

In 2005, Tavares asked to play in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) earlier than usual. OHL rules said players had to be 15 to be drafted. But the OHL created a special rule called "exceptional player status." This allowed 14-year-old Tavares to be drafted a year early. He became the youngest player ever drafted in the OHL. As of 2024, only eight other players have received this special status.

The Oshawa Generals picked Tavares first overall in the 2005 draft. He won the Jack Ferguson Award for this achievement. Tavares played his first OHL game on September 23, 2005. He scored his first OHL goal just three days after his 15th birthday. He quickly showed his skill, scoring ten goals in his first nine games. He finished the 2005–06 season with 77 points, including 45 goals. Tavares was named to the OHL's all-rookie team. He won the Emms Family Award and CHL Rookie of the Year awards.

Tavares takes a face-off during the 2006–07 OHL season. He was chosen to represent the OHL in the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge.

As a 16-year-old in 2006–07, Tavares played for the OHL in the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge. On January 25, 2007, he had an amazing seven-point night. He scored four goals and three assists in a 9–6 win. He scored his 50th goal of the season in his 44th game. On March 16, 2007, Tavares broke Wayne Gretzky's OHL record. He scored his 70th and 71st goals of the season, the most goals ever by a 16-year-old. He won the Red Tilson Trophy as the league's most outstanding player. He was also named the CHL Player of the Year.

In the 2007–08 season, Tavares scored 40 goals and 118 points in 59 games. He was third in OHL scoring. On January 8, 2009, Tavares was traded from the Oshawa Generals to the London Knights. This was a big move, as the Knights were a top team.

Tavares with the Oshawa Generals in November 2008. He was traded to the London Knights in January 2009.

On March 8, 2009, Tavares set a new OHL goal-scoring record. He scored his 214th goal, passing the old record held by Peter Lee.

Professional Career

Even though he was a few days too young for the 2008 NHL entry draft, there was a big push to let Tavares join early. But the NHL and its players' association said no. So, Tavares had to wait until 2009. The NHL International Scouting Services ranked Tavares as the top draft prospect in the world. In the 2009 NHL entry draft, he was picked first overall by the New York Islanders.

New York Islanders (2009–2018)

Tavares with the New York Islanders in November 2009. The 2009–10 season was his first year in the NHL.

On July 15, 2009, Tavares signed his first NHL contract with the Islanders. He scored his first NHL goal and assist in his very first professional game. This happened on October 3, 2009, against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tavares led all NHL rookies in scoring for much of his first season. He finished second in rookie scoring with 54 points (24 goals, 30 assists) in all 82 games.

On October 23, 2010, Tavares scored his first career hat-trick (three goals in one game). On September 14, 2011, he signed a new six-year contract with the Islanders. He was chosen to play in the 2012 NHL All-Star Game. He scored one goal and one assist in his first All-Star Game. During the 2011–12 season, Tavares was also named an alternate captain for the Islanders.

Tavares in May 2013 during the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs.

During the 2012–13 NHL lock-out, Tavares played in Switzerland for SC Bern. When the NHL season started, Tavares was third in the league with 28 goals. He helped the Islanders reach the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 2007. He was also a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy, given to the NHL's most valuable player. He scored his first playoff goal on May 1, 2013.

On September 9, 2013, Tavares was named the 14th captain in New York Islanders history. On February 19, 2014, during the 2014 Winter Olympics, Tavares got a knee injury. This made him miss the rest of the Olympics and the 2013–14 NHL season.

Tavares in March 2018. The 2017–18 season was his last with the Islanders.

In the 2014–15 season, he was chosen for the 2015 National Hockey League All-Star Game. He finished the season as runner-up for the Art Ross Trophy with 86 points. He was also a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy again. On April 19, 2015, Tavares scored a game-winning overtime goal in the playoffs. This was the Islanders' first playoff overtime winner since 1993.

On October 9, 2015, Tavares scored the first regular season goal for the Islanders at their new arena, Barclays Center. On March 12, 2016, he scored his 200th career NHL goal. He was named to the NHL All-Star Game for the third time. On April 24, 2016, Tavares scored a game-tying goal with less than a minute left in a playoff game. He then scored the series-winning goal in double overtime. This sent the Islanders to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 1993.

On January 13, 2017, Tavares scored his 500th NHL point. He was the first player from his draft class to reach this milestone.

Tavares' contract with the Islanders ended after the 2017–18 season. He decided to explore other teams as a unrestricted free agent. Many thought he would stay with the Islanders. However, on July 1, 2018, it was announced that Tavares would be leaving the team.

Toronto Maple Leafs (2018–present)

On July 1, 2018, Tavares signed a seven-year contract with his hometown team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. He said he wanted to play for the team he cheered for as a child. He also believed the Maple Leafs had a good chance to win the Stanley Cup. Tavares turned down bigger money offers to join the Maple Leafs.

In his first game for the Maple Leafs on October 4, 2018, Tavares scored his first goal for the team. On October 7, he scored his ninth career NHL hat-trick. On January 10, 2019, Tavares scored his 300th NHL goal. On February 28, he returned to Long Island to play against the Islanders. Fans booed him loudly throughout the game. Two days later, Maple Leafs fans organized a "Tavares Appreciation Day" in Toronto. Tavares scored in that game, and the Maple Leafs won. On March 17, Tavares recorded his 700th career NHL point. He also scored his 40th goal of the season. This made him only the third Maple Leaf player to score 40 goals in his first season with the team. On March 26, Tavares scored his tenth career NHL hat-trick, which was also his first four-goal game. He finished the season with 47 goals, 41 assists, and 88 points. His 47 goals led the team.

Before the 2019–20 season, Tavares was named the 25th captain in Maple Leafs history. On October 16, 2019, he broke a finger and missed seven games.

On May 20, 2021, in a playoff game, Tavares was injured after a collision. He was taken off the ice on a stretcher and went to the hospital. He was later diagnosed with a concussion and missed the rest of the playoffs. The Maple Leafs lost the series.

On November 15, 2022, Tavares scored his 400th NHL goal. He played his 1,000th NHL game on January 29, 2023. He had two assists in that game. Forbes magazine said he had "absolutely realized the lofty potential" that made him the first overall pick. Tavares finished the season with 36 goals, 44 assists, and 80 points. On April 20, 2023, Tavares scored his first ever playoff hat-trick. He then scored the series-winning goal in overtime in Game 6. This sent the Maple Leafs to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2004. However, the Maple Leafs were defeated in the second round.

On December 11, 2023, Tavares reached 1,000 career points in the NHL. He became the 98th player to do so. His 1,000th point was an assist on a game-tying goal with only 6.4 seconds left.

On August 14, 2024, Tavares stepped down as captain. He became an alternate captain again, a role he held in his first season with the team. On December 20, Tavares recorded his 600th career assist. On December 23, he scored his 200th goal as a Maple Leaf. This made him one of only five players in NHL history to score at least 200 goals with more than one team.

International Play

Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing  Canada
Olympic Games
Gold	2014 Sochi
World Junior Championships
Gold	2008 Czech Republic
Gold	2009 Canada
Canada Cup / World Cup
Gold	2016 Toronto
Spengler Cup
Gold	2012 Davos

Junior International Play

In his first OHL season, Tavares played for Team Ontario in the 2006 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. He was only 15. Later that year, he joined Canada's under-18 team for the 2006 IIHF World U18 Championships.

The next season, Tavares was invited to Canada's junior team camp. He was not chosen for the 2007 World Junior Championships. But he was named to Canada's junior team for the 2007 Super Series against Russian junior players. Canada won the series.

Tavares made the team for the 2008 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships on his second try. He scored four goals and helped Canada win its fourth straight gold medal. He returned the next year for the 2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Ottawa, Ontario. He scored three points in the first game. In the final round-robin game, Tavares scored a hat-trick. This tied him for the all-time Canadian junior record with 12 career goals. In the semifinal, he helped set up a dramatic tying goal with 5.4 seconds left. Canada then won in a shootout. In the final, he helped Canada defeat Sweden 5–1 to win their fifth straight gold medal. Tavares finished the tournament with eight goals and seven assists for 15 points. He was named a tournament All-Star, Top Forward, and MVP.

Senior International Play

Since the New York Islanders did not make the playoffs in Tavares' rookie NHL season, he was chosen for the Canadian men's team for the 2010 IIHF World Championship in Germany. Tavares led all players in goal-scoring with seven goals in seven games. Canada reached the quarterfinal but lost to Russia.

Tavares as a member of the Canadian ice hockey team during the 2012 Spengler Cup.

The next year, Tavares played for the national team again at the 2011 IIHF World Championship in Slovakia. He had nine points (five goals, four assists) in seven games. Canada again lost to Russia in the quarterfinal.

Tavares played for SC Bern in Switzerland during the 2012–13 NHL lock-out. He quickly became a top scorer there. He also played for Team Canada at the 2012 Spengler Cup, which Canada won.

Tavares was named to Canada's Olympic team for the 2014 Winter Olympics. He injured his knee in the quarterfinal game against Latvia. This meant he could not play for the rest of the tournament or the NHL season. He watched his team win the gold medal from the dressing room. He joined the medal ceremony on crutches. Tavares later said the tournament was "bittersweet."

Tavares rejoined Team Canada for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. This was the first time the event was held in twelve years. The team won the gold medal, defeating Team Europe 2–1.

After the Maple Leafs were out of the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs, Tavares planned to play for Team Canada at the 2019 IIHF World Championship. However, he suffered an injury and had to return to Toronto.

Following the Maple Leafs' playoff exit in 2024, Tavares was added to the Team Canada roster for the 2024 IIHF World Championship. He was named team captain for the tournament.

Playing Style

Coaches have always praised Tavares for his ability to predict what will happen in the game. In his junior career, he worked hard to improve his skating speed, which was sometimes seen as a weakness. Since becoming a professional, Tavares has greatly improved his speed.

Tavares is known as a natural leader on the ice. He always puts his team first. The Oshawa Generals named him their team captain in 2008. He also served as an alternate captain for the Canadian junior team in 2009.

Personal Life

John Tavares has three children with his wife, Aryne. After his oldest child was born, he started writing his children's names on his stick before every game.

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2006	Canada	WJC18	4th		7	2	3	5	4
2007	Canada	SS			8	1	8	9	26
2008	Canada	WJC			7	4	1	5	2
2009	Canada	WJC			6	8	7	15	0
2010	Canada	WC	7th		7	7	0	7	6
2011	Canada	WC	5th		7	5	4	9	12
2012	Canada	WC	5th		8	4	5	9	12
2014	Canada	Oly			4	0	0	0	0
2016	Canada	WCH			6	1	3	4	0
2024	Canada	WC	4th		9	2	9	11	6
Junior totals					28	15	19	34	32
Senior totals					41	19	21	40	36

Awards and Honours