Five to go for Tavares in the Hunt for All-Time Ontario Hockey League Goal Scoring Record
Toronto, ON – The number is five. London Knights’ star John Tavares is in striking distance of the all-time Ontario Hockey League’s goal scoring title needing just five goals in five games or less to capture one of the OHL’s most distinguished records.
Tavares has scored 209 goals during his four-year OHL career to date and is five goals shy of the setting a new OHL career record for goal scoring. Peter Lee of the Ottawa 67’s set the current record when he scored 213 goals from 1971-1976.
The Knights have five games left in the 2008-09 regular season schedule, including tonight’s home game against the Kitchener Rangers.
Tavares, who has scored 26 goals in 20 games since joining the Knights in January, moved past Stan Drulia into second place on the all-time goal scoring list with his 199th goal against the Rangers on February 15th. He also scored his 200th career goal in that game.
Tavares scored his 50th goal of the season last Friday to give the Knights a 2-1 overtime win over the Erie Otters. He added two more on Sunday against the Kingston Frontenacs and leads the OHL scoring race with 94 points this season despite missing time away at Christmas to help Canada win the gold medal at the World Juniors in Ottawa where he was named tournament MVP.
The OHL Information Guide and Record Book incorrectly listed Lee’s scoring totals as 215 for several years but league statistician Herb Morell researched the final league official statistics from each season that Lee participated in to confirm that Lee’s actual total goals scored was 213. League records have been updated to reflect this correction.
OHL record for most goals in a career
213 – Peter lee, Ottawa (1971-72 through 1975-76)
209 – John Tavares, Oshawa/London (2005-06 through 2008-09)
198 – Stan Drulia, Niagara Falls/Hamilton/Belleville (1984-85 through 1988-89)
194 – Dale McCourt, Sudbury/Hamilton (1972-73 through 1976-77)