Tavares was born on September 20, 1990, in Mississauga, Ontario, to Barbara and Joe Tavares, who are of
In … See more

Tavares petitioned to gain eligibility to play major junior in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in the spring of 2005. As OHL rules did not allow for players under age 15 to be drafted, the OHL introduced an exceptional player status clause, … See more

During his rookie season in the OHL, Tavares competed for Team Ontario in the 2006 World U-17 Hockey Challenge in Saskatchewan as a 15-year-old, but failed to medal. Later that year, at the end of the 2005–06 s… See more

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 … See more

Tavares has three children with his wife Aryne. After the birth of his oldest he began writing his children's names on his stick before every game. See more