 | The Oshawa Generals announced today that they will officially retire John Tavares’ number “91” in a ceremony at the 2014-15 season home opener on Sunday, September 28 at the General Motors Centre in Oshawa, Ontario.
Tavares joined the Oshawa Generals in 2005 at the age of 15, after being granted exceptional status by the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). | | Oshawa - August 1, 2014 - The Oshawa Generals announced today that they will officially retire John Tavares’ number “91” in a ceremony at the 2014-15 season home opener on Sunday, September 28 at the General Motors Centre in Oshawa, Ontario.
Tavares joined the Oshawa Generals in 2005 at the age of 15, after being granted exceptional status by the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Tavares finished his OHL career with 433 points, putting up 383 points during his four seasons with the Generals. His jersey number, 91 will be retired with the likes of hockey greats, Red Tilson, Bobby Orr, and Eric Lindros.
Since beginning his career with National Hockey League (NHL) team, the New York Islanders in 2009, Tavares has put up an impressive136 goals and 179 assists for 315 points in 350 games played. Tavares has kept close ties to the Generals through “JT’s Junior Generals” where one minor hockey team is selected to attend every regular season game, with players and coaches receiving tickets to the game, a JT's Junior Generals T-shirt, and an extra gift, courtesy of Tavares himself.
“I am honoured by this gesture from the Oshawa Generals to retire my number,” Tavares said. “I am extremely grateful that my name will hang alongside Red Tilson, Bobby Orr and Eric Lindros, men who were not only incredible ambassadors for the Generals and the Oshawa community, but for the sport of hockey. I have lifelong memories from my three and a half years in Oshawa and owe a lot of my success to their tremendous support. I look forward to returning to the General Motors Centre and celebrating the home opener of the franchise’s 78th season with the best fans in junior hockey.”
Oshawa Generals General Manager, Roger Hunt said, “I think it’s fantastic that we are able to retire John’s number. He really does belong alongside Red Tilson, Bobby Orr, and Eric Lindros as great Oshawa Generals. Wherever you are in the world, if you hear the name Oshawa Generals, John’s name immediately comes to your mind. He took the OHL by storm when he arrived and is quickly becoming an NHL superstar as well. His accomplishments on the world stage with Canada are a testament to how much he is regarded in the hockey world as well. Gold medals follow John, and this is just another step along the way in cementing his legacy as one of the greats of this game. Once a General, always a General couldn’t be truer in this ceremony.”
“On behalf of ownership, we are extremely excited and proud to honour John with the highest honor in hockey by retiring his jersey in Oshawa. John is a special player on the ice and always a gentleman off the ice, conducting himself in a first class manner and representing the Oshawa Generals with the utmost respect,” said Oshawa Generals Owner, Rocco Tullio. “John will become the youngest Player in OHL history to have his jersey number retired. John has remained a close friend over the years and as an owner and friend I couldn’t be happier for John and our organization.”
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