John Tavares: Just One Of The Guys

15-year old John Tavares was deemed a special player when it was ruled that he was eligible for the 2005 OHL priority selection a year earlier than his peers. League commissioner David Branch noted that Tavares was mature enough to step in and thus far the results have proven him correct. Through 15 regular season games, the fresh-faced rookie leads the Oshawa Generals with 13 goals and he is not eligible for the NHL Entry draft until 2009.

Tavares has played against kids older than he since he was six years of age, and has learned to not worry about distractions away from the rink. He carries a heavy stick and does all the talking on the ice.

McKeen's Hockey had an opportunity to catch up with John and discuss his exciting budding career, the issue of hazing, and the prospect of representing Canada at the international level.

McKeen's: How have you adjusted to the OHL?

John Tavares: So far it's been pretty good - there have been no problems. I am loving the OHL lifestyle right now.

McKeen's: To what or who do you credit your early success?

John Tavares: All my family and coaches of past years. Playing in Tier II last year, developing my work ethic was a big part of it - just trying to get better every day.

McKeen's: What is your best asset and what makes you such an exceptional player?

John Tavares: I just work hard; I come to the rink willing to learn and compete and always look to fine-tune my game and get better.

McKeen's: Are you playing beyond your own expectations?

John Tavares: Well, I am really surprised at myself but I also have a lot of confidence in my game and have been able to put up numbers at all levels. I am more concerned with making the team competitive and it looks like we are doing that so far.

McKeen's: What is it like to play for the Oshawa Generals considering their rich history with alumni like Orr and Lindros?

John Tavares: Obviously its great to be a part of this organization and to see the footsteps those guys took here. It is a perfect opportunity for me to come to Oshawa and I am loving it.

McKeen's: Who are you playing with and how do they complement you?

John Tavares: Cal Clutterbuck is my right winger and they have been rotating my other side (Gary Friesen, Adam Berti). Me and Clutterbuck are really getting good chemistry going and have become good buddies so everything is going all right with that.

McKeen's: Who leads in the dressing and room and who have you been rooming with?

John Tavares: Peter Tsimikalis is the leader, he wears the "C". Berti is an "A" and has been here for four years. They are the real leaders and they step up when needed. Tsimikalis is one of the guys I live with and he has been showing me and Dale Mitchell the ropes of the OHL. Mitchy is another one of our first rounders and so far he has been doing really well too.

McKeen's: Coach Ladouceur has used you in many situations, are you comfortable with that?

John Tavares: Yes, last year I got to go through every situation playing in Tier II, so I am comfortable and it is not overwhelming. I look forward to be able to produce and help the team win.

McKeen's: What is your relationship like with Ladouceur? What does he expect of you?

John Tavares: He expects me to work hard everyday and be a productive player. He doesn't expect me to go out there and score lots of points or do special things out there; he just wants me to do my job.

McKeen's: Being 15, what has it been like assimilating with your teammates? Has the age difference been an issue?

John Tavares: Well, I have been playing (with older players) since I was six, so I have become used to the little comment here or there about my young age. They don't look at me as a 15-year old - they take me in as one of their own.

McKeen's: What kind of training have you done since coming into the OHL?

John Tavares: I just tried to maintain all the strength I put on in the summer. The coach gives us a workout before practice and it has helped in adding muscle.

McKeen's: How has the community reacted to you?

John Tavares: I absolutely love it here. They want me here, showed me a lot of respect. It is a great community with outstanding fans.

McKeen's: In light of the incident that happened in Windsor and Akim Aliu being a former teammate, can you shed some light on what type of person Aliu is? What do you think about hazing?

John Tavares: Akim is a great guy, I played with him for three years. I still keep in contact - we are good buddies. He is a good kid and is going to be a great player one day. He has the whole package. I know the suspension is unfortunate for Moe Mantha because hazing is a fine line. Your rookies have to pay their dues - they may have pushed it a little far in Windsor and hopefully we don't see that in the OHL again. Here I am not being hazed at all - the guys are great and I do my rookie thing, but other than that it has been great.

McKeen's: What has been your biggest thrill in your brief hockey career?

John Tavares: Playing with the Toronto Marlies - we had a bit of a dynasty there in minor hockey, winning two All-Ontario Championships. So far that has been the highlight.

McKeen's: What person has been most important for you in your hockey career?

John Tavares: My parents - they come to every game and support me 100 percent. I love them tremendously and they give me great support.

McKeen's: Have you had any goals coming into this season?

John Tavares: Just to try and make the Generals a competitive team this year and make it to the playoffs. We started a little slow out of the gate but we are a young team and just have to believe in ourselves. We showed that we are capable of beating good teams like we did today and just have to build on that. (Generals beat the Attack 8-3)

McKeen's: Any individual goals?

John Tavares: No, not really.

McKeen's: Do you hope to represent Canada internationally some time in the near future and have they contacted you?

John Tavares: No, I haven't spoken with Hockey Canada. I think that is one of my goals before the NHL, which is to represent my country, represent Team Ontario. I may have an opportunity to do so this Christmas and it would be an honor to represent Canada, my country.