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August 24th, 2006, 5:10:31 AM
CATCHING UP WITH JOHN TAVARES
August 22, 2006
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Photo Credit: Graig Abel
John Tavares, the Buffalo Bandits forward and the all-time leading scorer in NLL history, is taking it easy for the rest of summer. He’s recovering from two inuries: a strained hamstring that slowed him down in the championship game, and a case of “father’s elbow” for the proud dad of a five-month old son. “I think it’s from holding the baby too much”, said Tavares with a laugh. “My left elbow gets sore, and my wife says it’s a case of father’s elbow”.
The ailment is hardly enough to keep Tavares from enjoying this new chapter of his life. He and wife Katrina had their first child, Justin, back in February. “It definitely changes your lifestyle quite a bit, but I’m really enjoying it”, he said.
The Bandits franchise player had a so-so summer playing lacrosse for the Saint Regis Indians in Ontario. “The hamstring injury is still bothering me a bit; it didn’t allow me to play the way I would have liked to this summer”, said Tavares, whose team was recently eliminated from the Ontario playoffs. “Nothing to worry about though, I intend to rest it for the next couple of months, and I expect to be 100 percent ready to go when Bandits camp opens”.
JT offered his thoughts on the 16-9 championship game loss to Colorado and the 2006 season. “After taking some time to get over the initial disappointment of that last game,
I looked back and realized we had a very successful season. The rest of the guys have positive feelings about the season overall as well. Coming in this year, every guy in our room realizes that we’re a top competitor for the championship heading into this season”.
The trade of AJ Shannon to Edmonton this summer netted Buffalo the third overall selection in this year’s Entry Draft. What needs should the Bandits address? “I think we have a strong core, pretty deep offensively and defensively”, said Tavares. “It would be nice to have another pair of young legs that can play at both ends of the floor—another Mark Steenhuis would be great, but those are hard to find”.
A familiar face will no longer be on the Bandits bench next season, but on the opposing side. Duane Jacobs, a former NLL player and assistant coach for the past few seasons in Buffalo, has accepted the head coaching job with the Minnesota Swarm, another Eastern Division rival. “He’ll do well in Minnesota”, said Tavares. “Dewey has lots of coaching experience, and did a lot of good work here in Buffalo with our offense. He understands the game well both ends of the floor. He’s a mild-mannered guy, doesn’t scream a lot, but when he does, the guys certainly listen”.
Thankful for what’s been largely an injury-free career, the 37 year-old Tavares is preparing for his sixteenth season in the league. He’ll return to teaching math at a high school in the Toronto area this fall, and looks forward to another shot at the championship in 2007.
August 22, 2006
Email this article
Printer friendly page
Photo Credit: Graig Abel
John Tavares, the Buffalo Bandits forward and the all-time leading scorer in NLL history, is taking it easy for the rest of summer. He’s recovering from two inuries: a strained hamstring that slowed him down in the championship game, and a case of “father’s elbow” for the proud dad of a five-month old son. “I think it’s from holding the baby too much”, said Tavares with a laugh. “My left elbow gets sore, and my wife says it’s a case of father’s elbow”.
The ailment is hardly enough to keep Tavares from enjoying this new chapter of his life. He and wife Katrina had their first child, Justin, back in February. “It definitely changes your lifestyle quite a bit, but I’m really enjoying it”, he said.
The Bandits franchise player had a so-so summer playing lacrosse for the Saint Regis Indians in Ontario. “The hamstring injury is still bothering me a bit; it didn’t allow me to play the way I would have liked to this summer”, said Tavares, whose team was recently eliminated from the Ontario playoffs. “Nothing to worry about though, I intend to rest it for the next couple of months, and I expect to be 100 percent ready to go when Bandits camp opens”.
JT offered his thoughts on the 16-9 championship game loss to Colorado and the 2006 season. “After taking some time to get over the initial disappointment of that last game,
I looked back and realized we had a very successful season. The rest of the guys have positive feelings about the season overall as well. Coming in this year, every guy in our room realizes that we’re a top competitor for the championship heading into this season”.
The trade of AJ Shannon to Edmonton this summer netted Buffalo the third overall selection in this year’s Entry Draft. What needs should the Bandits address? “I think we have a strong core, pretty deep offensively and defensively”, said Tavares. “It would be nice to have another pair of young legs that can play at both ends of the floor—another Mark Steenhuis would be great, but those are hard to find”.
A familiar face will no longer be on the Bandits bench next season, but on the opposing side. Duane Jacobs, a former NLL player and assistant coach for the past few seasons in Buffalo, has accepted the head coaching job with the Minnesota Swarm, another Eastern Division rival. “He’ll do well in Minnesota”, said Tavares. “Dewey has lots of coaching experience, and did a lot of good work here in Buffalo with our offense. He understands the game well both ends of the floor. He’s a mild-mannered guy, doesn’t scream a lot, but when he does, the guys certainly listen”.
Thankful for what’s been largely an injury-free career, the 37 year-old Tavares is preparing for his sixteenth season in the league. He’ll return to teaching math at a high school in the Toronto area this fall, and looks forward to another shot at the championship in 2007.