John Tavares

Early life and minor hockey

John Tavares was born on September 20, 1990, in Mississauga, Ontario, to Barbara and Joe Tavares. His family moved to Oakville, Ontario, when he was young, where he first played organized hockey with the Minor Oaks Hockey Association. Tavares also excelled at soccer and lacrosse, with the latter sport having a significant influence on his hockey development. His uncle, also named John Tavares, is the all-time scoring leader in the National Lacrosse League, and the younger Tavares served as a ball boy for his uncle's team, the Buffalo Bandits. He credits his uncle with teaching him unselfish play and notes that skills like spinning off checks and battling in traffic, learned in lacrosse, directly improved his hockey abilities. Tavares attended St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School in Oakville and became close friends with future NHL player Sam Gagner, often practising on a backyard rink built by Gagner's father, former NHL player Dave Gagner.

His minor hockey career was marked by exceptional scoring. He played for the Mississauga Braves and Senators in the Greater Toronto Hockey League before joining the Toronto Marlboros. During the 2003-04 season with the Marlboros' bantam team, Tavares scored 95 goals and 187 points in 90 games, leading his team to the AAA Provincial Championship. The following season with the minor midget team, he recorded 91 goals and 158 points in 72 games. For these achievements, he shared the Buck Houle Award for outstanding performance, leadership, and loyalty. While still only 13 years old, Tavares also played 16 games for the Milton Icehawks of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League, recording 11 goals and 23 points and becoming one of the youngest players ever in junior hockey.

Major junior career with the OHL

In a landmark decision for major junior hockey, 14-year-old John Tavares was granted exceptional player status in the spring of 2005, allowing him to enter the Ontario Hockey League Priority Draft a year early. The Oshawa Generals selected him first overall, making him the youngest player ever drafted into the OHL. He made an immediate impact, scoring his first OHL goal just three days after his 15th birthday and finishing his rookie 2005-06 season with 45 goals and 77 points. His performance earned him a spot on the OHL All-Rookie Team and he won both the Emms Family Award as OHL Rookie of the Year and the CHL Rookie of the Year award.

His sophomore season in 2006-07 was historically prolific. On January 25, 2007, he registered a seven-point night with four goals and three assists against the Windsor Spitfires. Later that season, on March 16, he scored his 70th and 71st goals, breaking Wayne Gretzky's OHL record for most goals by a 16-year-old. He finished the season with 72 goals and was awarded the Red Tilson Trophy as the OHL's most outstanding player and the CHL Player of the Year. During the 2007-08 season, Tavares scored 40 goals and 118 points in 59 games. In January 2009, with Oshawa rebuilding, he was traded to the London Knights along with Michael Del Zotto. With London, he set the OHL's all-time goal-scoring record with his 214th goal on March 8, 2009, passing Peter Lee. Tavares finished his OHL career as the league's all-time leader with 215 goals and sixth all-time with 433 points.

John Tavares had a distinguished major junior career marked by several major honours and records. He broke into the OHL at age 14 after gaining exceptional player status. Tavares was named the Canadian Hockey League Rookie of the Year in 2006 and the CHL Player of the Year in 2007. He finished his OHL career with the most goals at 215 and ranked sixth in points with 433. Tavares also set the OHL goal-scoring record with his 214th goal, passing the previous record held by Peter Lee.

• CHL Rookie of the Year (2006)
• CHL Player of the Year (2007)
• Red Tilson Trophy (OHL MVP) (2007)
• OHL All-Rookie Team (2006)
• Set OHL record for most goals by a 16-year-old (71 in 2006-07)
• Became OHL's all-time leading goal scorer (215 goals)

NHL career with the New York Islanders

After significant but unsuccessful efforts to enter the NHL draft a year early in 2008, John Tavares was selected first overall by the New York Islanders in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He signed a three-year entry-level contract and made an immediate impression, scoring his first NHL goal and assist in his debut game on October 3, 2009, against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He led NHL rookies in scoring for much of the season and finished second in rookie scoring with 54 points in 82 games. In December 2009, he scored five consecutive Islanders goals over a four-game span, tying a club record set by Bryan Trottier.

His career with the Islanders progressed steadily. He scored his first NHL hat-trick on October 23, 2010, against the Florida Panthers. In September 2011, he signed a six-year, $33 million contract extension. During the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, Tavares finished third in the NHL with 28 goals and led the Islanders to their first playoff berth since 2007. His 47 points in 48 games made him a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP. On September 9, 2013, he was named the 14th captain in Islanders history. The following season, he was on pace for a career year with 66 points in 59 games before suffering a knee injury at the 2014 Olympics that ended his season.

Tavares reached new offensive heights in the 2014-15 season, finishing as the runner-up for the Art Ross Trophy with 86 points, just one point behind winner Jamie Benn. He was again a Hart Trophy finalist. In the 2015 playoffs, he scored a dramatic overtime winner 15 seconds into extra time in Game 3 against the Washington Capitals. The following season, he scored his 200th career NHL goal and captained the Metropolitan Division at the All-Star Game. In the 2016 playoffs, he scored the series-clinching goal in double overtime against the Florida Panthers, giving the Islanders their first playoff series win since 1993. On January 13, 2017, he recorded his 500th NHL point. His final season with New York in 2017-18 saw him post 84 points in 82 games before entering unrestricted free agency.

Toronto Maple Leafs and later career

After nine seasons with the Islanders, John Tavares entered free agency in the summer of 2018 and signed a seven-year contract with his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs on July 1. The move was a landmark moment for the franchise, adding an elite centre to a young core. On October 3, 2018, he made his Maple Leafs debut against the Montreal Canadiens and scored his first goal for the team. His tenure in Toronto has been characterized by consistent offensive production and leadership, serving as a key veteran presence on a team built around high-end talent like Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.

John Tavares has been a consistent point producer throughout his NHL career. He finished the 2014-15 season as runner-up for the Art Ross Trophy with 86 points. In his first season with the New York Islanders, he led NHL rookies in scoring for much of the year and finished with 54 points. During the 2012-13 season, he was third in the NHL with 28 goals. Tavares served as captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2019 through 2024 after previously captaining the New York Islanders for five seasons.

International play

John Tavares has been a fixture for Hockey Canada in international competition across multiple levels. His first major tournament was the 2006 IIHF World U18 Championships. He then starred at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, winning back-to-back gold medals in 2008 and 2009. At the 2009 tournament, he was named the most valuable player after leading all scorers with eight goals and 15 points in just six games. He also represented Team Ontario at the 2006 World U-17 Hockey Challenge and the 2007 Super Series against Russian junior select teams. At the senior men's level, Tavares competed at the IIHF World Championships in 2010 and 2011. His most significant international achievement came at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, where he was named to the Canadian Olympic team and played a role in the preliminary rounds.

His Olympic tournament ended prematurely when he suffered a torn MCL and meniscus in his knee during a quarterfinal game against Latvia. Despite being unable to play in the semifinal or gold medal game, he received a gold medal as Canada defeated Sweden to win the championship. His international career includes several key tournaments and results, such as winning gold at the World Junior Championships in 2008 and 2009, being named tournament MVP in 2009, and earning an Olympic gold medal in 2014. He also participated in the World U18 Championships in 2006 and the senior World Championships in 2010 and 2011.

Playing style and legacy

John Tavares is renowned for his elite hockey intelligence, exceptional hand-eye coordination, and prowess in high-traffic areas around the net. His game is built not on blinding speed but on superior anticipation, strong puck protection, and a deceptive release on his shot. He credits his lacrosse background for honing his ability to spin off checks and battle for positioning in front of the goal. Throughout his NHL career, he has been a consistent offensive catalyst, capable of driving a line as a playmaking centre and a finisher. His two Hart Trophy finalist nominations in 2013 and 2015 highlight the periods where he was considered among the very best players in the world.

His legacy begins with his status as a trailblazing junior player. By being granted exceptional player status in the OHL at age 14, he paved the way for a new path for elite Canadian prospects, with only a handful of players since receiving the same designation. As an NHL captain for both the New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs, he provided steady leadership through rebuilding and contending phases. His free agent signing with Toronto in 2018 was one of the most significant in recent NHL history, dramatically altering the league and bringing a hometown star to Canada's largest market. While a Stanley Cup championship has eluded him, his career is defined by individual excellence, consistent production, and representing Canada with distinction on the world stage.

Personal life and off-ice activities

John Tavares maintains a relatively private personal life centred on his family and philanthropic efforts. He is married and has children, and he has spoken publicly about the importance of his family's support throughout his career, particularly the influence of his uncle, the lacrosse legend John Tavares. During his junior career with the Oshawa Generals, he was recognized for his commitment to education, earning honours and the team's Scholastic Player of the Year award for the 2007-08 season. This emphasis on academics has continued as a value he promotes. Off the ice, Tavares is actively involved in community and charitable work, having been a longtime supporter of the Special Olympics and dedicating time to work with athletes.

He has also participated in various hospital visits and community events organized by his NHL teams. His approach to philanthropy is typically hands-on and low-profile, focusing on making a direct impact rather than seeking publicity. This consistent community involvement complements his professional reputation as a dedicated and respected leader in the sport of hockey. His work with the Special Olympics and his emphasis on education reflect a commitment to giving back that extends beyond his on-ice achievements.

Questions about John Tavares

Why is John Tavares famous?

John Tavares is famous as one of the most prolific Canadian scorers of his generation in the NHL. He gained early notoriety as a teenage phenom, becoming the first player granted 'exceptional player status' to enter the OHL early at age 14. He was selected first overall in the 2009 NHL Draft by the New York Islanders, where he became a franchise captain and a two-time finalist for the Hart Trophy as league MVP. His high-profile free agent signing with his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs in 2018 was a major sports story in Canada.

What teams has John Tavares played for?

John Tavares has played for two NHL teams. He began his career with the New York Islanders, who drafted him first overall in 2009. He played nine seasons for the Islanders from 2009 to 2018, serving as team captain from 2013 onward. On July 1, 2018, he signed a long-term contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team he grew up supporting.

What records does John Tavares hold?

John Tavares holds several significant records, primarily from his dominant junior hockey career. He is the Ontario Hockey League's all-time leader in goals with 215. As a 16-year-old with the Oshawa Generals in 2006-07, he scored 71 goals, breaking Wayne Gretzky's OHL record for most goals by a 16-year-old. He is also the youngest player ever to be drafted into the OHL, having been selected first overall at age 14 after being granted exceptional player status.

Has John Tavares won a Stanley Cup?

No, John Tavares has not won a Stanley Cup. He helped the New York Islanders reach the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2013 for the first time since 2007. In the 2015 playoffs, he scored an overtime winner against the Washington Capitals. The Islanders were eventually eliminated by the Capitals in seven games that year.

What international tournaments has John Tavares won with Canada?

John Tavares has won gold medals with Canada at the 2008 and 2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and at the 2014 Winter Olympics. At the under 20 level, he was named the most valuable player of the 2009 tournament after scoring eight goals and 15 points in six games. He also represented Canada at the 2010 and 2011 World Championships and participated in the 2006 IIHF World U18 Championships. Tavares represented Team Ontario at the 2006 World U 17 Hockey Challenge and 2007 Super Series. His Olympic gold medal came despite an injury that prevented him from participating in the final two games of the tournament.

Is John Tavares related to the lacrosse player John Tavares?

Yes, hockey player John Tavares is the nephew of the lacrosse player John Tavares. His uncle is the all time scoring leader in the National Lacrosse League. The younger Tavares was a ball boy for his uncle's NLL team, the Buffalo Bandits, and credits him with teaching the importance of remaining unselfish. He states that following his uncle with the Bandits made him better both as a person and a hockey player. Many skills he learned in lacrosse, such as spinning off checks and battling in traffic, transferred to ice hockey and improved his abilities as a goal scorer.

Sources and further reading

• John Tavares (Wikipedia)
• John Tavares, Team Canada, Olympic.ca (olympic.ca)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-21.