NHL center who was selected first overall by the New York Islanders in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He quickly became one of the Islanders' top players and was named the team's captain in September 2013.
He earned an exceptional player waiver in order to play in the Ontario Hockey league at 14. He attempted to gain a similar waiver to enter the NHL Draft in 2008, but was unsuccessful.
He played in the Swiss National League A for SC Bern during the 2012 NHL lockout. He won a gold medal with team Canada at the 2014 Olympics.
He was born to Barbara and Joe Tavares.
He played against Drew Doughty and the London Jr. Knights in the 2004 Bantam AAA Provincial Hockey Championships.
