John “JT” Tavares
NAME: John “JT” Tavares
INDUCTED: 2024
TEAM: St. Christopher House / Six Nations
POSITION: Player
John Tavares, known for his exceptional goal-scoring abilities and unparalleled lacrosse IQ, has left an indelible mark on the sport of lacrosse. His innate talent and passion for the game propelled him to success on both national and international stages.
Tavares’s remarkable career as a player is characterized by a string of impressive achievements and accolades. He played with 8 Mann Cup championship teams from 1992-2012 and as a member of Team Canada, he represented his country with distinction, winning twice at the World Box Lacrosse Championships in 2003 and 2007.
Throughout his career he also received numerous awards and honors including Top Scorer and MVP in Jr. B with the Mississauga Tomahawks, Jr. A with Bay Area, Major Series Lacrosse (MSL), and the National Lacrosse League (NLL). His impressive statistics underscore his impact, holding records as the NLL’s all-time leading scorer in goals, assists, and points. Notably, he was the first player in NLL history to achieve the milestone of 500 goals and 500 assists, further solidifying his legacy as one of lacrosse’s greatest players.
As the head coach of the Buffalo Bandits in the National Lacrosse League (NLL), Tavares continues to impart his knowledge and expertise to the next generation of lacrosse players, further cementing his legacy as a true ambassador for the sport.
John was inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in 2022 and will be inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in October 2024.
Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame & Museum
Lock 3, 1932 Welland Canals Parkway
St. Catharines, Ontario, L2R 7C2