New York Islanders star John Tavares is set to become just the second Oakville born NHLer to represent the Canadian men's national hockey team at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
Oakville native John Tavares was selected today as a member of Canada's Olympic Hockey TeamOakville native John Tavares was selected today as a member of Canada's Olympic Hockey Team
Tavares, a former St. Thomas Aquinas high school student in Oakville, has been a rising young star in the National Hockey League in recent years. In his fifth season with the Islanders, Tavares is currently third in the NHL with 51 points, including 20 goals, in 43 games. On Monday, Tavares posted a five-point outing (three goals, two assists) in the Islanders’ 7-3 win over the Dallas Stars.
Prior to his professional career, Tavares played with the OJHL's Milton Icehawks for a season, recording 23 points in only 16 games during a short rookie campaign in 2004-2005. In 2005, he became the first player to ever earn exceptional status in the OHL, going first overall in the 2005 OHL draft. Tavares ended up amassing 183 goals and 383 points in 223 regular season games with the Oshawa Generals before being traded and closing out his junior career with the London Knights, recording 50 points in just 24 contests with the team.
Tavares will be the first Oakville-raised player to suit for the Canadian Olympic men’s hockey team since Rob Zamuner. Zamuner, who was a member with the Tampa Bay Lighting during the time, was selected to play for Canada in Nagano, Japan despite not having a strong offensive season.
Tavares won't be the only Oakville native suiting up to play hockey in Sochi. Last month, Appleby College grad Brianne Jenner was named to the women’s team. Already an accomplished player at the international stage, Jenner won gold with Canada at the 2010 Four Nations Cup, as well as the 2012 IIHF World Women's Championships.
You can follow Tavares on twitter @91tavares and Brianne @briannejenner.