NHL center who was selected first overall by the New York Islanders in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He quickly became one of the Islanders' top players and was named the team's captain in September 2013.
Early Life (Childhood)He earned an exceptional player waiver in order to play in the Ontario Hockey league at 14. He attempted to gain a similar waiver to enter the NHL Draft in 2008, but was unsuccessful.
Interesting FactsHe played in the Swiss National League A for SC Bern during the 2012 NHL lockout. He won a gold medal with team Canada at the 2014 Olympics.
Personal LifeIn Oakville, Tavares attended St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School. He lived five minutes from Sam Gagner, who later signed a contract with the Edmonton Oilers, and the two quickly established a friendship.
