John Tavares (ice Hockey)

John Tavares (ice Hockey)

John Tavares (born September 20, 1990) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre, an alternate captain for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). He is currently playing for SC Bern of the Swiss National league A due to the ongoing 2012 NHL lockout. He was selected first overall by the Islanders in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Tavares then signed a three-year, entry-level contract in July 2009.

Previously, Tavares competed at the major junior level as a member of the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) before being traded to the London Knights at the 2009 OHL trading deadline with Michael Del Zotto. He broke into the OHL after gaining "exceptional player" status at the age of 14, allowing the Oshawa Generals to select him in the OHL Priority Draft as an underage player in 2005. Tavares was named the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Rookie of the Year in 2006 and CHL Player of the Year in 2007. In 2009, he finished the season with a career total of 215 goals, breaking Peter Lee's OHL record by two.

Tavares was the focus of an unsuccessful push to have the NHL's draft rules changed to allow him to participate in the 2008 Entry Draft, as well as an attempt to allow him to play in the American Hockey League as a 17-year-old in 2007. Tavares was ranked as the top prospect for the 2009 draft by both National Hockey League (NHL) Central Scouting and International Scouting Services.

Tavares has represented Canada at five International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) sanctioned events, including the 2010 and 2011 World Championships. At the under-20 level, 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 after scoring eight goals and fifteen points in six games. He also participated in the 2006 IIHF World U18 Championships, but failed to medal. Additionally, Tavares represented Canada Ontario at the 2006 World U-17 Hockey Challenge and 2007 Super Series.