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 is a forward and an alternate captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the National Hockey League (NHL).

In the 2009 NHL entry draft, John was chosen as the very first player by the New York Islanders. He played for the Islanders for nine seasons and was their captain for five of those years. He was also the captain of the Maple Leafs from 2019 until 2024.

Before joining the NHL, Tavares played major junior hockey. He was part of the Oshawa Generals in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Later, he was traded to the London Knights in 2009. Tavares was allowed to play in the OHL at just 14 years old. This was because he was given "exceptional player status" in 2005.

He was named the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Rookie of the Year in 2006. In 2007, he was named the CHL Player of the Year. Tavares finished his junior career with the most goals (215) in OHL history. He also ranked sixth in total points (433).

Tavares was considered the top player for the 2009 NHL Draft. Both the NHL Central Scouting Bureau and International Scouting Services ranked him number one.

John Tavares has played for Canada in five big international events. These include the 2010 and 2011 World Championships. As a player under 20, he won gold medals at the 2008 and 2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He was named the best player of the 2009 tournament. He scored eight goals and 15 points in six games.

He also played in the 2006 IIHF World U18 Championships. In 2014, he was chosen for the Canadian Olympic Hockey Team. He won a gold medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics. An injury kept him from playing in the last two games.

John Tavares' Early Life and Sports

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, his family moved to Oakville, Ontario. This is where he started playing minor hockey.

Tavares also played soccer and lacrosse. He was very competitive in all sports. He was a ball boy for his uncle's lacrosse team, the Buffalo Bandits. His uncle, John Tavares, is a famous lacrosse player. John credits his uncle for teaching him to be unselfish. Many skills he learned in lacrosse, like spinning away from defenders, helped him in hockey.

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 father, 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 education. He earned honors and was named the Oshawa Generals' Scholastic Player of the Year in 2007–08. He also helps with the Special Olympics.

John's Start in Minor Hockey

Tavares showed great talent in hockey from a young age. When he was seven, his parents moved him to play with older kids. He then played for the Mississauga Braves. After that, he joined the Mississauga Senators. With the Senators, he won the GTHL minor atom championship in 1999–2000.

Later, Tavares played for 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. Tavares scored one goal in the final game and was named the best forward in the tournament.

The next season, he played for the Marlboros' minor midget team. He scored 91 goals and 158 points in 72 games. He also played 16 games with the Milton Icehawks. He was only 13 years old when he debuted with the Icehawks. This made him one of the youngest players to ever play junior hockey.

John Tavares' Junior Hockey Career

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

In 2005, Tavares asked to play in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) earlier than usual. OHL rules usually didn't allow players under 15 to be drafted. But the OHL made an "exceptional player status" rule for Tavares. This allowed him to be drafted a year early at age 14. He is the youngest player ever drafted in the OHL.

The Oshawa Generals picked Tavares first in the 2005 draft. He won the Jack Ferguson Award for being the top pick. Tavares played his first OHL game on September 23, 2005. He scored his first OHL goal just three days after his 15th birthday. He scored 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. These awards are for the best first-year player in the OHL and CHL.

Breaking Records in the OHL

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 a huge game against the Windsor Spitfires. He scored four goals and three assists, totaling seven points. He scored his 50th goal of the season in his 44th game.

On March 16, 2007, Tavares scored his 70th and 71st goals of the season. This broke Wayne Gretzky's OHL record for most goals by a 16-year-old. He won the Red Tilson Trophy as the most outstanding player in the league. He was also named the CHL Player of the Year.

In the 2007–08 season, Tavares scored 40 goals in 59 games. His 118 points ranked him third in OHL scoring. He missed some games to play for Team Canada at the 2008 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

On January 8, 2009, Tavares was traded from the Oshawa Generals to the London Knights. He made his debut with the Knights on January 11. On March 8, 2009, Tavares set a new OHL goal-scoring record with his 214th goal. He passed the old record held by Peter Lee.

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

John Tavares' Professional Hockey Career

Tavares was born just five days after the September 15 deadline for the 2008 NHL entry draft. There was a big effort to let him join the draft early, but it didn't happen. So, Tavares had to wait until 2009 to be drafted into the NHL entry draft.

The NHL International Scouting Services ranked Tavares as the top draft prospect in the world. In the 2009 draft, Tavares was chosen 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 a three-year contract with the Islanders. He scored his first NHL goal and assist in his very first professional game on October 3, 2009. He scored against Marc-André Fleury of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tavares led all NHL rookies in scoring for much of his first season.

In December 2009, he scored five goals in a row for the Islanders. This tied a club record. He finished his first season with 54 points (24 goals, 30 assists) in all 82 games. He was second in rookie scoring.

On September 14, 2011, Tavares signed a new six-year contract with the Islanders. It was worth $33 million. From December 29, 2011, to January 21, 2012, Tavares had 21 points in a 12-game scoring streak. He was chosen to play in the 2012 NHL All-Star Game. In his first All-Star Game, he had one goal and one assist. He was also named an alternate captain for New York.

Tavares in May 2013 during the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs.

During the 2012–13 NHL lock-out, Tavares played in Switzerland for SC Bern. In the shortened 2012–13 NHL season, Tavares was third in the NHL with 28 goals. He helped the Islanders reach the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 2007. Tavares scored 47 points (28 goals, 19 assists) in 48 games. He was also a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy, given to the NHL's most valuable player.

He made his playoff debut on May 1, 2013, against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tavares scored his first playoff goal in Game 3. He finished with three goals and two assists in six games. The Islanders were eliminated by the Penguins.

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 injured his knee. This forced him to miss the rest of the Olympics and the 2013–14 NHL season. At the time of his injury, he was third in the NHL with 66 points.

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

In the 2014–15 NHL season, he was chosen for the 2015 NHL All-Star Game. Tavares 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 an overtime goal in the playoffs against the Washington Capitals. This was the Islanders' first game-winning overtime goal in the playoffs since 1993.

On October 9, 2015, Tavares scored the first regular season goal for the Islanders at Barclays Center. On March 12, 2016, he scored his 200th career NHL goal. That season, he was named to the NHL All-Star Game for the third time. He finished the 2015–16 season with 70 points.

On April 24, 2016, in a playoff game against the Florida Panthers, Tavares scored a game-tying goal with 53.2 seconds left. He then scored the series-winning goal in double overtime. This was the first time the Islanders won a playoff series since 1993.

On January 13, 2017, Tavares scored his 500th NHL point. This happened in his 550th career NHL game. 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 re-sign with New York. However, on July 1, 2018, it was announced that Tavares would leave the Islanders.

Toronto Maple Leafs (2018–Present)

On July 1, 2018, Tavares signed a seven-year, $77 million contract with his hometown team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. He said he wanted to play for his childhood team and believed Toronto could win the Stanley Cup. He turned down higher 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 (and first for Toronto). On January 10, 2019, Tavares scored his 300th goal.

On February 28, Tavares returned to Long Island to play the Islanders. Fans booed him throughout the game. In response, Maple Leafs fans organized a "Tavares Appreciation Day" two days later. Tavares scored in that game, and the Maple Leafs won.

On March 17, Tavares recorded his 700th career NHL point with his 40th goal of the season. He became the third player in Maple Leafs history to score 40 goals in his first season. On March 26, Tavares scored his tenth career NHL hat-trick. This was also his first four-goal game. He finished the season with 47 goals, 41 assists, and 88 points in all 82 games. His 47 goals led the team.

In the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Maple Leafs were eliminated by the Boston Bruins. Tavares scored two goals and three assists in the series.

Before the 2019–20 NHL season, Tavares was given time off for the birth of his son. On October 2, 2019, Tavares was named the 25th captain in Maple Leafs history. On October 16, he broke a finger and missed seven games.

On May 20, 2021, in a playoff game against the Montreal Canadiens, Tavares suffered a concussion. He was stretchered off the ice and taken to the hospital. He was discharged the next day but was out indefinitely. The Maple Leafs lost the series to the Canadiens.

Tavares had 27 goals and 49 assists for 76 points in 79 games during the 2021–22 NHL season. In the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Maple Leafs lost in seven games to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tavares had three goals and three assists in the series.

On November 15, 2022, Tavares scored his 400th NHL goal. He played his 1,000th NHL game on January 29, 2023. Forbes magazine noted that he had achieved his high potential. Tavares finished the season with 36 goals, 44 assists, and 80 points in 80 games.

In the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, Tavares scored his first playoff hat-trick on April 20. He then scored the series-winning goal in overtime in Game 6 against the Lightning. This sent the Maple Leafs to the second round for the first time since 2004. The Maple Leafs were then defeated by the Florida Panthers.

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. He finished the 2023–24 NHL season with 29 goals and 36 assists for 65 points. The Maple Leafs lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Boston Bruins.

On August 14, 2024, Tavares stepped down as captain. Auston Matthews became the new captain. Tavares returned to the role of alternate captain. On December 20, Tavares recorded his 600th career assist. On December 23, he scored his 200th goal as a Maple Leaf. He became the fifth player in NHL history to score at least 200 goals with more than one team. He finished the 2024–25 NHL season with 38 goals and 36 assists for 74 points. In the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Maple Leafs defeated the Ottawa Senators. They then lost to the Florida Panthers.

On June 27, 2025, the Maple Leafs signed Tavares to a four-year contract extension. This contract was seen as a "hometown discount." It allowed the team more financial flexibility.

John Tavares' International Play

Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing  Canada
Winter Olympics
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 Hockey

During his first OHL season, Tavares played for Team Ontario in the 2006 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. He was 15 years old. 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 national junior selection camp. He didn't make the team for the 2007 World Junior Ice Hockey 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 gold medal in a row. He returned the next year for the 2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He scored three points in the first game and was named Player of the Game.

In a game against the United States, Tavares scored a hat-trick. This was his 12th career goal in the tournament. It tied the all-time Canadian junior record held by Eric Lindros and Jeff Carter. In the semifinal against Russia, Tavares helped set up a dramatic tying goal with 5.4 seconds left. He then scored in the shootout. Canada won the gold medal game against Sweden. 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 Hockey

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

Since the New York Islanders didn't make the playoffs in his rookie NHL season, Tavares was chosen for the Canadian men's team for the 2010 IIHF World Championship. He led all players in the tournament with seven goals in seven games. Canada lost to Russia in the quarterfinal.

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

Tavares played for SC Bern in Switzerland during the 2012–13 NHL lock-out. He scored 42 points in 28 games. 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 couldn't play for the rest of the tournament or the 2013–14 NHL season. He watched Canada win the gold medal from the dressing room.

Tavares rejoined Team Canada for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Canada won the gold medal.

After the Maple Leafs were eliminated from the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs, Tavares planned to play for Team Canada at the 2019 IIHF World Championship. However, he suffered an oblique 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.

John Tavares' Playing Style

Coaches have praised Tavares for his ability to predict plays. Early in his career, people often said he lacked speed. He worked hard to improve his skating. He has greatly improved his speed since becoming a professional.

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 was also an alternate captain for the Canadian junior team in 2009.

John Tavares' Personal Life

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