The Next 'NEXT ONE?'

There's a new kid on the block in the hockey world, and his name is John Tavares.

Tavares made his Ontario Hockey debut in September of 2005, just days before his 15th birthday. He had 45 goals and 77 points in his first year with the Oshawa Generals and raised plenty of eyebrows when he broke Wayne Gretzky's league record for goals by a 16-year-old last season.
On top of that, he's won the 2006 CHL Rookie
of the Year Award, the OHL Rookie of the Year
award, and the 2007 CHL and OHL Player of
the Year in his second season.

And he's not even eligible for the 2008 NHL Entry
Draft - he's projected to go
No. 1 in 2009.

Follow TSN.ca's John Tavares Archive for anything and everything on the kid who could be hockey's 'Next Big Thing.'

NHL Draft: Eligible in 2009

Accomplishments:
2006-07: CHL - Player of the Year (Canadian Major Junior)
2006-07: OHL - Red Tilson Trophy (Most Oustanding Player)
2006-07: OHL - First All-Star Team
2005-06: CHL - Rookie of the Year (Canadian Major Junior)
2005-06: OHL - Emms Family Award (Rookie of the Year)
2005-06: OHL - First All-Rookie Team

Year	Team	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM
2006-2007	Oshawa (OHL)	67	72	62	134	+25	60
2007 Playoffs	Oshawa (OHL)	9	7	12	19	-4	6
2005-2006	Oshawa (OHL)	65	45	32	77	+25	72

Hockey Insider Analysis

McKenzie: Tavares may have to share his handle (11/30/2004)
As special as John Tavares the lacrosse player is, he may have to get used to sharing his handle with his nephew, John Tavares of Oakville, Ontario.
McKenzie: Where would Tavares rank in 2008 draft? (9/7/2007)
TSN.ca asked the scouts as they ranked the 2008 draft prospects: "If John Tavares were eligible for the 2008 draft and it was being held on Saturday, where would he rank on the lists they just submitted?"
McKenzie: Tavares-Leafs story doesn't make sense (10/25/2007)
Something doesn't seem quite right about this John Tavares-Toronto Maple Leaf story about possibly having the youngster join the AHL's Marlies.

The Headlines

OHL makes changes; Tavares eligible (5/4/2005)
The Ontario Hockey League altered its draft rules to permit the selection of an "exceptional" underage player, which paved the way for the Oshawa Generals to make John Tavares the first overall pick in Saturday's OHL draft.
Tavares an international veteran already (7/28/2006)
At just 15, John Tavares was already an international hockey veteran. He headed into Canada's under-18 hockey team selection camp in Calgary with more international experience than most of the players invited.
Tavares among cuts from Team Canada (12/14/2006)
Hockey Canada cut 11 players from its 39-man selection roster for the World Junior Hockey Championship, including John Tavares and Quebec Remparts forward Angelo Esposito.
Tavares breaks Gretzky's OHL goal record (3/16/2007)
John Tavares scored twice to break the record for most goals in the Ontario Hockey League by a 16-year-old. Tavares tied and then broke the old record of 70 set by Wayne Gretzky.
Tavares named OHL Player of the Year (5/2/2007)
John Tavares erased a Wayne Gretzky record en route to winning the Ontario Hockey League's most oustanding player award.
Tavares named CHL Player of the Year (5/26/2007)
John Tavares named the Canadian Hockey League's player of the year, after the Oakville, Ont., native broke Wayne Gretzky's record for goals in a season by a 16-year-old with 72.
Tavares highlights Super Series roster (6/20/2007)
Canada's roster for the Super Series against Russia was highlighted by John Tavares. He was Canada's youngest player in the event, which will serve as a development and evaluation platform ahead of the 2008 World Junior tournament.
Tavares hoping for early entry to draft? (9/30/2007)
John Tavares's agent, Bryan Deasley, spoke with the NHL and NHLPA about the possible creation of an exceptional player clause that would allow certain players to be drafted a year early.
Report: Leafs chase Tavares for AHL team (10/25/2007)
According to reports, which originated in the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Maple Leafs had discussions with the John Tavares camp about having the 17-year old junior star join Toronto's American Hockey League team.
Tavares takes another shot at Junior team (12/10/2007)
John Tavares has learned a difficult lesson for a talented hockey player who just turned 17, and that's patience.
Tavares leads Canada to exhibition win (12/20/2007)
John Tavares led the Canadian players with two goals and an assist in a 6-1 exhibition win over Slovakia.
Canada blanks the Czechs in WJC opener (12/26/2007)
John Tavares of the Oshawa Generals scored two power-play goals and goaltender Jonathan Bernier stopped 44 shots for the shutout as Canada beat the host Czech Republic 3-0 to open the world junior hockey championship.
Canada beats Denmark; Face Finland next (12/31/2007)
Canada followed up its disappointing loss to Sweden with a 4-1 victory over Denmark. Oshawa Generals' forward John Tavares set the offensive tone with a goal and an assist.
Canada edges Finns in WJHC quarters (01/02/2008)
Goals by Brad Marchand, John Tavares, Steven Stamkos and Stefan Legein gave Canada a 4-2 quarterfinal victory over Finland at the world junior hockey championship.

Broadband Features

	The Reporters: The panel discusses if John Tavares should get an exemption from the National Hockey League to enter the Entry Draft one year early.
	Off The Record: Dave Hodge and the panel debate John Tavares' playing status with the American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies.
	Off The Record: Michael and the guests discuss whether the NHL should bend its rules and allow John Tavares to be drafted in 2008.

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