This Is Tavares Country: April 2009

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Quiet and Re-charging The Batteries

I am regrouping and surely JT is resting that bum shoulder and getting ready for the combine.

Here are some random articles...

I will have a blog up tomorrow projecting linemates for Tavares' rookie season. I will also be amping up the mock drafts etc...as we get ready for the 09 draft. I will be heading to Montreal.

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3815456

http://lfpress.ca/cgi-bin/publish.cgi?p=263886&x=articles&s=knights

http://www.hockeyjournal.com/Article.php?ArtID=1000002

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Knights Clean Out Lockers/Duchene Rising

A huge thumbs up for the work of Ryan Pyette of the London Free Press who provided great coverage of the Knights and John Tavares this season.

http://lfpress.ca/perl-bin/publish.cgi?x=articles&p=263418&s=knights

http://lfpress.ca/cgi-bin/publish.cgi?p=263358&x=articles&s=knights

Matt Duchene continues to accentuate the theory that it's better to be the hunter than the hunted.

http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/blog/2009/04/matt_duchene_last_prospect_sta.html

Thursday, April 23, 2009

The Aftermath

One of the best careers in the history of major junior hockey came to an end last night. It's time for the big show young Mr. Tavares.

http://lfpress.ca/cgi-bin/publish.cgi?p=263327&x=articles&s=knights

http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/Sports/Hockey/2009/04/23/9213711-sun.html

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/postedsports/archive/2009/04/22/john-tavares-ends-junior-career-on-losing-note.aspx

Draft Talk.

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/postedsports/archive/2009/04/23/brampton-s-duchene-bumps-tavares-in-mock-draft.aspx

http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_12204216

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Shocker...in overtime. Amazing that every game in this series was decided in overtime. Spitfires take the series in 5 and effectively end the junior career of John Tavares. Tavares had a goal and an assist in the loss.

JT finished with 10G/11A/21PTS/-2/14 GP

http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=15961

http://www.windsorstar.com/Masters+sudden+death/1523763/story.html

http://lfpress.ca/perl-bin/publish.cgi?x=articles&p=263244&s=knights

Draft talk.

http://sports.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090422.wspttavares23/GSStory/GlobeSportsHockey/home

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/622315

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Do Or Die...Knights On The Verge Of Elimination

Game 5 @ 7:05 Wednesday.

The Tavares deconstruction continues. I guess when you play 4 years under the microscope the flaws get exposed or people try and rail you down. Redline says JT is not a franchise player but will score 40 goals a season and projects to be a Brett Hull type player and not a winner. Yes the same Hull that was one of the great pure snipers in the history of the game and won two stanley cups. 65 days to the draft...can't come soon enough.

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/postedsports/archive/2009/04/21/red-line-report-says-tavares-should-be-drafted-third.aspx

http://lfpress.ca/cgi-bin/publish.cgi?p=263179&x=articles&s=knights

http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1532567

http://www.intelligencer.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1532030

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/621663

Monday, April 20, 2009

Knights Go Down 3-1/Brisson Says Tavares Wants To Be An Islander

Another overtime loss. Knights scored three times in the 3rd to send this one to the extra session but came up short once again. John Tavares was held pointless and you have to wonder if Tavares is injured or just burned out. He has played a lot of hockey this year, been under a microscope and he looked very frail on NHL lottery night.

http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=15951

http://sports.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090420.wsptohl20/GSStory/GlobeSportsHockey/home

Plenty of draft talk below, including Redline Report ranking Tavares 3rd behind Hedman and Duchene.

http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/620988

http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/ny-spisles2112676438apr20,0,7417103.story

http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/blog/2009/04/agent_tavares_hopes_to_be_no_1.html

http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/blog/2009/04/wang_snow_view_tavares_tonight.html

JT Says He Can Survive On The Island

http://sports.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090420.wsptshoalts0420/GSStory/GlobeSports/home

Great to hear John Tavares blatantly state “Wherever I'm selected, I'm going to go and play there. I've said it before, my goal is to play in the National Hockey League. It's not about where I play or who I am. I just want to be part of the franchise.”

It's exactly the type of character you want in a great young player. We would love to have you Johnny T.

I would like to take a second and apologize for some of my anti-Canadian (mainly targeted at the media trying to circumvent the draft) comments on this blog and over at the globe and mail website (thanks for calling me out Norm!). I love Canada. I love the homegrown hockey fabric of Canada. I have been overly agitated at the absurd amount of reporters suggesting that Tavares should refuse to report to a franchise that I live and die with. To take the beatings that we as Islander fans have endured for the greater part of the past twenty years is tough.

I sincerly hope that for two passionate fanbases (Islander county & Leafs Nation) brighter days are ahead.

Game 4 tonight.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Knights Fall In OT

5-4 final. Tavares with a goal and two helpers in the loss. Windsor takes a 2-1 series lead. All 3 games have been decided in overtime.

http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=15946

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5haBjMpFQB_ed2t4P-fpEJ_tU1pfA

Game 4 tomorrow night.

More Toronto media madness.

http://sports.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090419.wsptisles19/GSStory/GlobeSportsHockey/home

O' Canada...Game 3 @ 4:00

Don't worry the Islanders we still let John Tavares play for Canada in international competition.

Burke I can't wait to hear you tell us how great Jonas Gustavsson is. Hey Snowy said he'd take the 7th overall pick!...for the Isles late 1st rounder and 2 seconds. I guess Burke isn't the only GM that can do deals in the media.

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Sports/Eastern+Conference/1512243/story.html

http://www.thestar.com/sports/article/620806

http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/ny-spsnow1912665574apr18,0,238030.story

http://www.newsday.com/sports/ny-sppick1912671180apr18,0,7988280.story

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/19/sports/hockey/19slapshot.html

http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/Sports/Hockey/2009/04/18/9154501-sun.html

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Knights Even Up Series. Tavares Breaks Out.

JT with 2 goals, 1 in the second and 1 in the third to send Game 2 in to overtime. Phil Varone scored the game winner to tie the series at 1-1.

Post gamers and some draft talk below.

http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=15934

http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/Sports/Hockey/2009/04/17/9140596-sun.html

http://lfpress.ca/perl-bin/publish.cgi?x=articles&p=262869&s=knights

http://lfpress.ca/cgi-bin/publish.cgi?p=262867&x=articles&s=knights

http://www.windsorstar.com/Spits+lose+series+tied/1508322/story.html

http://www.windsorstar.com/Tavares+dents+Windsor+confidence/1508398/story.html

http://www.windsorstar.com/Sports/Knights+storm+back/1508376/story.html

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/blogs/2009/04/17/friday-s-five/

Thursday, April 16, 2009

4/16/09 News

http://www.windsorstar.com/Support+guys+kept+Spits+game/1503843/story.html

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2009/04/16/kelley_burke_tavares/

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

London Drops Game 1

Knights blew a 2 goal 3rd period lead tonight and fall in OT 4-3. Windsor D Ryan Ellis had two goals including the overtime winner.

http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=15956

http://www.windsorstar.com/Sports/Spits+claw+back+game/1500126/story.html

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jl45-udF2O-2dpXPOssiGMwLiz3Q

Tavares did not register a point tonight. He has 14 points in 10 playoff games to date.

Some more draft stuff below, it is really becoming comic relief with the canadian media trying to barter John Tavares to Toronto. You think the Isles situation is bad, the Leafs have Schenn and what other blocks exactly? Burke can go out and sign every undrafted college hockey player in the United States, the Leafs do not have anyone up front with upside of Okposo and Bailey nor do they have a defensemen as good as Mark Streit, and if the Isles can ever get DiPietro on the ice, they have a pretty darn good goaltender as well.

http://web.sny.tv/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090415&content_id=1498722&oid=36219&vkey=33

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2009/04/15/brophy_tough_choices/

Tavares A Pillar For A Lighthouse?...Playoffs!

Burkie and Steve Simmons are drinking again.

from toronto sun:

“The way (Burke) does his business is polar opposite to me,” Snow told radio station AM640. “I’m not going to get on a soap box.”

from sportsnet.ca

Reports have surfaced recently that Tavares is not keen on beginning his pro career in Long Island and may follow the precedent set by Eric Lindros in 1991 and refuse to wear the team's jersey on draft day."(The reports) are obviously written by people who with their own agenda," Snow said. "There is zero indication regarding (Tavares not wanting to play in Long Island)."

http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2009/04/15/9123226.html

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2009/04/15/snow_lawton_tavares_hedman/

http://lfpress.ca/cgi-bin/publish.cgi?p=262690&x=articles&s=knights

http://lfpress.ca/perl-bin/publish.cgi?x=articles&p=262736&s=knights

http://lfpress.ca/cgi-bin/publish.cgi?p=262737&x=articles&s=knights

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/2009/04/15/ohl_preview_knights_spitfires/

http://www2.canada.com/windsorstar/news/sports/story.html?id=92677b47-c547-4cfc-8b53-be64b8040c33

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090414.WBunwrittenrules20090414135330/WBStory/WBunwrittenrules

Burke/Toronto Media Are Entertaining

The young man discounted it himself...John Tavares will play for the Islanders if they draft him. I had the opportunity to meet Brian Burke at the 97 NHL awards ceremony he's a funny charismatic gentleman and he also is great with the media and by saying he will try and trade up for Tavares it gave the Toronto reporters a story...good for them.

Does Howard Berger really think that a package of your 7th overall pick, a second rounder (the Isles already have the Leafs second rounder) and Luke Schenn (if the Isles wanted a d-man they can take Hedman who has an offensive game which Schenn doesn't). Not going to happen, also if the Isles wanted Schenn they could of drafted him last year.

I love Toronto, I love the passion of their fans but you don't own the game...the Islanders have a pathetic recent history I understand that but they also have been the only U.S. based hockey team to have true dynasty. Like I said, not aiming this at the fans cause they are rabid, but don't discount us Isles fans. Show us some respect...for God's sake Isles fans were burning the Canadian flag in the parking lot during the 02 playoffs...if thats not passion (as crazy and misguided as it was) I don't know what is.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Isles Win Lottery/Playoffs Talk

The Islanders won the NHL draft lottery as you all know. Isles still tight lipped on who there leaning toward.

Some playoff talk as well.

http://www.windsorstar.com/Sports/Spits+Knights+have+deep+seated+rivalry/1496638/story.html

http://www.windsorstar.com/Sports/Spits+Knights+reverse+roles/1496614/story.html

http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/ny-spmark1512654548apr14,0,4020793.column

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iI_a4Ihu9-TP0kE3z8ct4ceundiwD97IK53O0

Playoffs And Plenty Of Lottery Talk

http://www.windsorstar.com/Sports/Tough+assignment+shut+down+Tavares/1492943/story.html

http://mvn.com/hockeyspy/2009/04/quest-for-the-holy-grail-update-the-john-tavares-sweepstakes-1.html

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hfidqeZT01agGsLeUzhBMll7NuvQD97HTA8O0

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2009/04/13/nhl_lottery/

http://www2.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=4cba180f-f895-4257-92ae-4c4e34032367

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Some Draft News

Game 1 Wednesday versus Windsor.

http://www.examiner.com/x-626-Tampa-Bay-Sports-Examiner~y2009m4d11-Lightning-owners-should-be-seen-and-not-heard-as-another-rebuilding-process-begins

http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/ny-spstaple1212645391apr11,0,5856906.column

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Islanders Will Finish With Worst Record

One of these young men will play for the NY Islanders.

With the Islanders lost to the Penguins tonight they have locked up the worst record in the NHL, a 48% chance at winning Tuesdays lottery, and a guarantee of falling no further than number 2.

Recent reports have the Isles not tipping their hands whatsoever. It has been reported that Isles scouts have been following Tavares for the last two months but Isles director of scouting Ryan Jankowski has also stated that Tavares' dominating WJC has raised more questions than ever.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=417461

4/9/09 News

Slow one today folks.

http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/Sports/Hockey/2009/04/09/9063076-sun.html

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Knights Sweep Spirit

Sorry I couldn't get this up yesterday, internet connection was down.

Tavares had a goal and an assist as the Knights continued their march towards an OHL championship and a bid in the memorial cup. London will now await the winner of the Windsor/Plymouth series and will surely be looking at a week of rest.

Next week is assured to be a huge week in the life of John Tavares. JT will play in the OHL western conference finals and will have a better grasp on where his future will lead him with Tuesday nights NHL draft lottery. If the Islanders lose in regulation tomorrow they will clinch last overall and will guarantee themselves a top 2 pick and the right to draft Tavares or D Victor Hedman.

http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=15947

http://www.milehighhockey.com/2009/4/8/826893/ti4t-update

http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/Sports/Hockey/2009/04/08/9050196-sun.html

http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/Sports/Hockey/2009/04/08/9050136-sun.html

http://www.mlive.com/spirit/index.ssf/2009/04/the_london_knights_sweep_the_s.html

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/25114-The-Hot-List-Hedman-hits-North-America.html