His pal Stamkos seems destined for enshrinement down the road as well. The Predators forward has scored six goals in his past eight games, including the 578th of his NHL career in Nashville’s 4-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday, passing Hall of Famer Mark Recchi for 22nd on the all-time goals list.
As kids in the Toronto area, Tavares and Stamkos played against each other a number of times before becoming teammates with the Blues, the summer league team that also featured future NHLers Alex Pietrangelo, Cody Hodgson and Michael Hutchinson. Stamkos and Tavares would go on to be selected No. 1 in the NHL Draft in successive years; Stamkos by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008, Tavares by the New York Islanders in 2009.
It’s been quite the journey for both, especially now that they are dads with hockey-crazed kids. In the case of Stamkos, his eldest boy, 5-year-old Carter, has loved Zambonis from the time he first started coming to rinks to see his dad play, another link to the sport between father and son.
To Tavares, the hockey odysseys for him and Stamkos, from being tots to teammates to hockey dads, are something to be embraced.
“I think at times, and we probably both think, about the journey and the big picture, and certainly where we’re at now,” Tavares said. “And I think as you get older, you have more of an appreciation of things. I think that’s just natural in life, but you just try to enjoy each and every day and never take it for granted. I think that’s part of the appreciation as you get older.
“When you look back through your childhood, through junior hockey and earning the opportunity to play in the NHL, then trying to become an elite player and have success, and certainly then getting to this point in your career where you’re still having fun and playing at a high level, it’s always great. And so, it’s always cool to see guys you grew up with have the careers they’ve had, an even more appreciation for what the game means and what it’s brought to your life.”
Tavares can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and has repeatedly said he wants to remain with the Maple Leafs. This much is certain: His consistency as almost a point-per-game player has been impressive.
And not just to Jace and Axton.
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