Tavares 1st Pick
Montreal, QC – The New York Islanders have selected London Knights center John Tavares with the No. 1 pick in the 2009 NHL entry draft.
The Islanders chose Tavares, a high-scoring junior star, with the first overall pick ahead of 6-foot-6, 220-pound Swedish defenseman Victor Hedman, the top-ranked European prospect.
Tavares, a 6-foot, 185-pound native of Oakville, Ont., led the Ontario Hockey League with 58 goals this season and broke Peter Lee’s 33-year-old league record of 213 career goals.
Islanders GM Garth Snow kept the team’s draft intentions a closely guarded secret until Tavares’ name was announced at the Bell Centre.
The Tampa Bay Lightning had the second overall pick, followed by the Colorado Avalanche.
Posted: 6/26/09 8:35PM ET