This red Team Canada authentic by Nike-Bauer is a size XL. Sewn to the left breast is the alternate Captain’s “A”.

It took an “exceptional” designation for Tavares, who is hockey’s reigning phenom, to be granted draft eligible status at the age of 14. This was the first time that such an exception was ever granted. The Oshawa Generals benefited from the ruling and selected John with the first overall pick in 2005 at the tender age of 14. John would follow in the footsteps of the great Bobby Orr and represent Oshawa as a young teenager. As did Orr, Tavares would dominate his older foes, scoring a remarkable 45 goals and 77 points as a 15-year old rookie in 2005-06. He was named OHL and CHL rookie of the year.

What Tavares accomplished during his 2nd season made news across the entire hockey world. That season, as a 16-year old, Tavares broke Wayne Gretzky’s record for goals in a season. In 1977-78, The Great Gretzky, at 17 years of age, scored an incredible 70 goals, a mark which stood without challenge for 30 years. Tavares made the record his own, lighting the lamp a resounding 72 times at the age of 16! He would also chip in 62 assists for a remarkable total of 134 points in 67 games played. The league recognized Tavares’ outstanding accomplishments by awarding the 16-year old with the Red Tilson Trophy as the most outstanding player in the league. He also was awarded the CHL’s Player of the Year award. Last year in 59 games, Tavares netted 40 goals and assisted on 78 others for a 118 point season. He was also selected to help Team Canada’s National Junior Team win their 4th consecutive Gold Medal.

At the time of this writing, Tavares’ 08-09 campaign is just about in the books. A mid-season trade took John from Oshawa to the London Knights in what will be his last stop prior to the upcoming NHL draft where he is projected to go 1st overall amid much fanfare. In 56 games split between Oshawa and London, Tavares scored a most impressive 58 goals and 104 points. Had he played a full slate of games he stood a fine chance to break his own scoring record!