<P> Tavares played for SC Bern in Switzerland during the 2012--13 NHL lock - out and quickly became the PostFinance Top Scorer, tallying 42 points--including 17 goals--in just 28 games . He also played for Team Canada at the 2012 Spengler Cup, which the nation ultimately won after defeating HC Davos in the final . </P> <P> At the 2014 Winter Olympics, Tavares injured his knee in Canada's quarterfinal match, rendering him unable to play for the remainder of the tournament as well as the 2013--14 NHL season . </P> <P> Tavares has been praised by his coaches for his ability to anticipate the play since he joined the OHL . A lack of speed had been the most common criticism of Tavares' play, something he spent his junior career attempting to improve . Tavares' skating speed is something he greatly improved since turning professional, and his speed is no longer considered an issue on the ice . </P> <P> The media hype he has encountered has led Tavares to remain guarded when speaking to the media, while his teammates and family attempt to shield him from the spotlight where they can . However, Tavares is regarded as a natural leader on the ice, and a player who puts his team first . The Oshawa Generals named Tavares their team captain in 2008, while he also served as the alternate captain with the Canadian junior team in 2009 . </P>

Youngest player to be drafted in the nhl