John Tavares of the Islanders before the game between the New York Islanders and the Tampa Bay Lightning at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, FL. Cliff Welch/Icon SMI 357/Cliff Welch/Icon SMI /Newscom. License this image from Newscom.com: iconphotosthree191905
For the first time in a long time the New York Islanders had a lot of preseason buzz around them. It has all been justified as John Tavares and the team are having success on the ice. While Tavares enters his prime things are finally looking up for the long-suffering Islanders.
Tavares joined the Islanders when the team selected the London Knights star first overall at the 2009 NHL draft. Tavares quickly took to the NHL game proving those who wanted an exception to be made for Tavares to enter the draft a year early, right. Each season since then Tavares has continued to get better, averaging just under a point a game for his career, including his 6 playoff appearances.
Coming off an injury-shortened season Tavares is back to his old form. This has been great news for the team who are looking to make a big splash before the move to Brooklyn, and a change in ownership. But there is only one change that Islander fans have been waiting for and that’s a return to Stanley Cup Championship level hockey. With Tavares they look to have the first piece of that puzzle to at least return to winning playoff series again.
As the Islanders continue their playoff push we have put together our best photos of John Tavares. To find more great photos of the young Islanders caption be sure to check out Newscom throughout the season.
John Tavares of the New York Islanders grabs the puck against Nicklas Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York on January 10, 2012. Jim McIsaac/ABACAUSA.COM/Newscom. License this image from Newscom.com: abausaphotos650167
John Tavares, left, of the New York Islanders is stopped by Phoenix Coyotes goalie Jaason LaBarbera in the third period at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, December 18, 2010. David Pokress/MCT/Newscom. License this image from Newscom.com: krtphotoslive459046
New York Islanders right wing Nino Niederreiter (25) and New York Islanders center Josh Bailey (12) congratulate New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) after he scored a goal in the first period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, New York. Kostas Lymperopoulos/Cal Sport Media/Newscom. License this image from Newscom.com: csmphoto579824
New York Islanders center John Tavares in 2009. David Cooper/ZUMApress/Newscom. License this image from Newscom.com: zumaamericassix674351
John Tavares (91) of the New York Islanders pursues the puck against Ryan McDonagh (27) of the New York Rangers on Friday, February 24, 2012, at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. Jim McIsaac/MCT/Newscom. License this image from Newscom.com: krtphotoslive535262
Team Canada’s John Tavares leaves the hockey practice facility at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, on Tuesday February 18, 2014. Al Charest/ZUMA Press/Newscom. License this image from Newscom.com: zumaamericasten269448
New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) and Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Paul Martin (7) battle for position during the first period in the NHL game between the New York Islanders and the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire 114/Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire/Newscom. License this image from Newscom.com: iconphotosfour003593
New York Islanders left wing Cory Conacher (89) celebrates with New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) after the game between The New York Rangers and The New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, New York. Kostas Lymperopoulos/Cal Sport Media/Newscom. License this image from Newscom.com: csmphoto976941
New York Islanders center John Tavares #91 quickly changes direction to intercept the loose puck during the New York Islanders game against the Boston Bruins at the TD Garden in Boston, MA. Michael Tureski/Icon Sportswire 147/Michael Tureski/Icon Sportswire/Newscom. License this image from Newscom.com: iconphotosthree985159
