JOHN TAVARES AT 20
With family support, the center stays humble
12:45 pm: Today, on his 20th birthday, John Tavares and coach Scott Gordon shared a laugh on the ice about the difference between left and right after the franchise center missed an assignment.
“We were working on the forecheck,” said Tavares, born in Ontario on Sept. 20, 1990. “I was supposed to lock the left side and twice I locked the right. We had a laugh about it.”
Tavares had every right to smile about the mishap because, after all the pressure he faced in his teenage years – including his selection first overall by the Islanders in last year’s draft – he has remained humble with his teammates and the coaching staff, with fans and in the media.
On the occasion of his 20th birthday, Tavares was asked to list some of the people who have helped him keep both feet on the ground with so many great expectations on him.
“My parents have been a big influence,” said Tavares after the Islanders worked out at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum for the first time this season. “They are always there for support. My Uncle John [Tavares, a professional lacrosse legend in Canada], my agent (Pat Brisson).
“The biggest thing is the game. It’s not easy to be great at this level. You can’t let the tough times get to you, and you can’t let the good stuff go to your head.”
Tavares looked back at this time last season, when he took the ice for the first time with veterans like Doug Weight and Dwayne Roloson – “guys I’ve watched for a long time” – and was nervous.
“I still have the same kinds of feelings,” said the second-year center. “But this year, I know how to handle them. It’s such a privilege to play the game with these guys. The key is to not let things go to your head.”
Between his family, his support staff and friends made in one year with the Islanders, the birthday boy stays grounded.
Comments on this post.
24 Responses to JOHN TAVARES AT 20
With family support, the center stays humble
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Neil says:
I give his parents a lot of credit for raisng such a mature, humble kid despite what must have been a crazy youth hockey experience.
He also continues to have my respect for never blinking at coming here or remotely playing the “I don’t want the Isles to draft me” card that many Canadian media outlets tried to fabricate.
He has embraced the challenge of being this franchise’s savior from day one. And he has my thanks. -
Staten Islander says:
Happy Birthday JT, and many more in the Blue and Orange
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Remember the Red Line report accusing him of having an “air of entitlement”? Yeah, neither do I.
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smith31 says:
This guy is going to be the face of our franchise for a decade. Check out the NHL store in Manhattan. They have 4 or 5 2 story pictures of NHL starts. Front and center….JT.
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GlenS says:
Yeah I agree he is to be the face of this franchise for yeatr’s to come Happy B/day JT.. I expected to see more player move’s this summer disappointed there but still lookin forward to watching the team this season.
LETS GO ISLANDERS….. -
The New Isles GM says:
Have a friend who worked the NHL event in NYC last week. Had only good things to say about Crosby n Tavares. Came across real professional, humble and classy. Everyone else acted like they (Toews, Lundqvist, Staal) had a chip on their shoulder…too cool for school. Glad to see our franchise center receiving so many positive reviews about his attitude. Hopefully one day he delivers the cup like Crosby did for Pittsburgh. Happy birthday JT!
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Lee says:
Hey CB….Gotta remember something…As famous as Uncle John is in Canada he does play for the Buffalo Bandits and is a legend in that city as well.
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German Islesfan says:
Happy Birthday John Tavares !!
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Irish Isle says:
Happy B-Day John!!!
You have been a gift to Islander Fans
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Jzimm says:
Happy birthday to John Tavares! It’s guys like you who make me wish that I were a woman.
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Petey Pete says:
Speaking of the NHL store in Manhattan, they have some AWESOME apparel there. I mean the “good stuff”, shirts and sweaters you would never see at the Coliseum store or the online website.
I went there 2 weeks ago and picked up a sweet faded blue Tavares shirt. I recommend every NHL fan make a pilgrimage to this store, the Isles are well-represented (as are the Hartford Whalers, for some reason).
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JJ says:
I love JT! Can’t wait to see how he plays with his rookie year under his belt.
I’m hoping his skating has improved and he’s developed some more strength. I think a 30 goal season is a very realistic expectation.
Go Isles!
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hockeytime says:
Happy Birthday Johnny!! I always wear my Isles jersey with pride but now I wear it with a huge grin to boot because of the #91 on the back. Hope this is a great year for the kid and the Islanders!!!
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Bill O says:
Happy Birthday, JT.
Great Young Man, this is what we have been missing for so long.CB, as always great stuff. Thank you!
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gary9-19-22 says:
I live and die with this team like no other. The Mets, Jets and Knicks can all lose and it doesn’t hurt. When this team loses it hurts.
JT is one of the few bright spots in the past 20 years. Gotta root for this kid (as well as all our kids) to hold down the fort until Wanger gets his arena deal and opens the purse strings.
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Brother Rat says:
Happy Birthday, John! Props to Neil/#2 above, I agree with those sentiments completely. Nothing but class and hard work from this kid, and nothing but respect from us lucky fans who will get to watch him mature and lead this squad.
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Happy Birthday J.T., and remember You CAN have your cake and eat it too! (As long as it’s in an Isles Jersey)! May the hockey gods reward you with an awesome season you so richly deserve.
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JSExpress says:
Amazing what he has accomplished at only 20 years of age!
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Happy Birthday JT! So excited to watch him this year, I hope he’s protected though. He would be a Virgo…now all the talk about his tireless work ethic makes sense.
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isles71 says:
happy birthday and many more…as an Islander!
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Steve says:
happy bithday John!
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hathead68 says:
Happy B-day JT !!!
… and a belated Happy B-day to DP (yesterday)!!!
Hope for a great season for you JT and a bounce back season for you DP. Future All-Star and Once & Future All-Star. Let’s go fellas and LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!
Happy Birthday JT!..you are going to be the player that saves our franchise and will be a great player for years to come enjoy this day bro!