John Tavares, also the uncle of New York islanders player John Tavares. He is the oldest player in lacrosse and the longest tenured Bandit in their history. Tavares was drafted by Detroit in 1992, and was traded to Buffalo in their inaugural season, and has played no where else since. Tavares, a sure fire hall of famer, returns again to Buffalo this season, so let's take a look at his career before a preview.
Tavares in his first season, played in only eight games. However, he did score 43 points, showing more talent to come. Back then in the NLL it was only an eight game schedule, and in those next three years he scored 58, 47, and 45 points. They then went to a 10, 12 and 15 game schedule, and then Tavares really took off, scoring a career high in points in 2001 with 115 points. Tavares is currently the NLL's leader in career goals, points, and assists, passing Gary Gait in the goal scoring in 2008.
Tavares has scored over 100 points four times, in 2001, 2003, 2005, and 2007. Last season he scored only 49 in 10 games, but that might be because he was 41 during the regular season.
Tavares is also legendary in Major Series Lacrosse, and won the championship with the Peterbourough Lakers over the summer. He started off with Orangeville Northman before signing with the Vancouver Burrards. After spending two seasons there, he signed with Brampton Excelsors, then the Six Nations Chiefs, Akwesane Thunder, Victoria Shamrocks and St Regis Indians. His career high in points is 140 in 1996.
Tavares returns to a Bandits team this winter in which he is not the only face. They have Mark Steenhaius, who was fourth in the league in scoring. But Tavares is still getting it done with the Bandits, and looks to win their first championship since 2006.
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