By Mike Beasley /
Watch for John Tavares’ shoulders to become a lot wider over the next month or so.
The increase in his upper torso will be a result of all the offensive responsibilities he’s expected to carry as a key member of Canada’s National Junior Team at the 2009 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships in Ottawa that begins later this month.
Tavares has already been carting quite a load around the last three seasons as a premier forward with the Oshawa Generals in the OHL.
Already projected to be the number one pick at the 2009 NHL Draft, the 18-year-old from Oakville, Ont. has been putting up some great point totals since Oshawa selected him first overall in 2005.
Besides a world title for Canada on the line, Tavares will be attempting to prove that he is the undisputed, irrefutable and undeniably the obvious choice to be selected first overall.
The 6-0, 183-pound centre knows that if he has a great World Junior Championship and leads Canada to their fifth consecutive gold medal then the rest will take care of itself.
“I want to be the best that I can be for my team,” Tavares said at the selection camp in Ottawa.
“It’s important to be a key part of a team that can win. If I’m rated number one that’s great, but my focus is on being the best that I can be everyday and improving myself along with being on a team that can hopefully win another gold medal.”
One of four returning Canadian players from last year’s team Tavares is in a different position than at this time last year.
“Things are a little different for me this tournament because I’m one of the experienced players now, Tavares admitted. “A lot of the guys are asking me how to handle certain situations and how things may go during camp and what its like to play in the World Championship. It’s the experience factor with the guys coming up to me like I did with my teammates last year.
“I’m here to win the gold medal. I’m prepared to do whatever the coaches ask me to do and contribute in every way I can. Obviously I would like to bring offense like I did last year and be counted on all areas of the ice.”
Over the last year or so Tavares and Swedish defenceman Victor Hedman have been labelled number one but the upcoming WJC could put the debate to rest once and for all.
Tavares knows that there will be tremendous pressure on him as one of the go to guys with Team Canada as well as having scouts from the entire NHL dissect his every move.
“My plan is to focus on succeeding as a team, not myself, “ Tavares admitted. “The most important thing for me is to be a part of a 22- or 23-man roster that is prepared to go to war for each other and try to win for our country. All I’m going to do is take things day by day, enjoy the experience have fun and absolutely no regrets when it’s all over.” |