For over three long years, hockey fans have anticipated the arrival of a soft-spoken teenager from Oakville, Ontario; a kid once widely thought talented enough to challenge the NHL's rigid age limit policy. And, for years, those fans had every reason to believe an exception for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft was all but guaranteed.
Fast forward to the beginning of the 2008-09 Ontario Hockey League season, however, and realize that 18-year-old John Tavares is still suiting up alongside the rest of the Oshawa Generals with whom he has played the past three seasons—the same team that made him the youngest drafted player in OHL history.
So what happened to the critically acclaimed hockey phenom between then and now to prevent him from getting ready for his first year as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning this September?
In short: nothing.
Born five days shy of the league's birthday cut-off for the latest NHL campaign, Tavares' decision to bypass possible appealing procedures is nothing to look twice at. Though the kid with 10 points already in his first five OHL games
this season shares a birth year with first overall draft pick Steven Stamkos (and most of last June's honored rookies) John Tavares is just as content leading by example, finishing up high school in Oshawa, Ontario and being the type of kid parents wish all professional athletes would be.Fresh off a third-period comeback victory against the Niagara IceDogs in which he registered his then-third goal of the young season, Tavares stepped aside from his Generals teammates to talk OHL, NHL, and what exactly 18-year-olds get up to these days.
Austin Kent: What would you say your role on the Generals is, both on and off the ice?
John Tavares: I think being more of a veteran guy, [my role] is to be a leader and set a good example for the young guys and the younger veterans that we have.
Kent: Now, for a person of your reputation with the upcoming NHL Draft, how does that weigh on you as an 18-year-old?
Tavares: I came in the league pretty early and had been a roommate of one of our past captains; I learned a lot from him. I think it more just kind of happens, you really don't try to worry about it or think about what you should do—you lead by example. If something needs to be said it's said, and that's about it.
Kent: What about off the ice? How does it affect your life? You're barely old enough to vote, right? How does this celebrity affect how you go about everything?
Tavares: You get used to it, everybody looking at you, watching what you're doing, how you act and stuff. Everyone always wants a piece of you, but it comes with the reputation of doing what I'm doing, especially here in Canada and the Toronto area, so I enjoy it. It's great, I enjoy it, it's a lot of fun. Not too many people get this opportunity and I'm just trying to take advantage of it.
Kent
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3 months ago
What a great interview. Great job, Austin, with this one. Tavares is a great guy, indeed, but I still think the NHL was right to keep him out of the league for one more year. Also, I just noticed that Stamkos and Tavares are the same number...what if Tampa finishes last again this year?
from 3 months ago
Just back to No. 19 I guess haha
from 3 months ago
Thanks Alan,
I agree with Chris, he may have to go back to 19!
There is a really good Pinball article up on www.thegoodpoint.com
Check it out.
from 3 months ago
If Tampa finishes last, they'll be high-fiving themselves that they have Stamkos and Tavares.
2 months ago
As an Islander fan I am actually rooting against my team in hopes of winning the Tavares lottery. I'm hoping this kid is the real deal. The Isles are close to getting approval on a new state-of-the-art arena/complex, which would make them more appealing for FA's and such, but they wouldn't break ground until 2010. They have no shot at obtaining great players, unless they win these lottery's. This kid better be better than Stamkos. I've watched him this year and he's no Toews, Kopitar, Kane, ect. They say Tavares is the next in a hall-of-fame line of Canadian centers....Gretzky, Lindros, Crosby...Tavares? If that's possible why are people speculating that this Swedish defensemen will go #1, how could anybody go #1 if he's that good? I know one thing for sure, if the Isles do getthe pick they will probably screw it up. That's what happens when your backup goalie becomes your GM! Nice article.
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