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Trading Sticks for Clubs

September 17, 2014, 7:09 AM ET [1 Comments]
Dee Karl
New York Islanders Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Many NHL clubs held their charity outings yesterday just as camps were about to open. The weather is usually good and spirits are high in anticipation of hockey season. But while it’s a day of fun, relaxation and hot dogs, that doesn’t mean the media isn’t far behind. A segment with John Tavares was on SiriusXM NHL Radio today.

As he was at a golf outing, the first questions were about -- well, golf. Understand that while John Tavares has always been an accomplished hockey player, his golf game was not always up to par. But like everything else JT does, he works at it -- hard.

This is from Newsday’s Mark Herrmann on August 31, 2013:

Tavares is a fervent golfer, having improved from a 19 to a 12 handicap since he reached the NHL. Anthony Cancro, his teaching pro at Tam O'Shanter in Brookville (and an Islanders diehard), said Tavares' improvement on the tee and fairways is like his development on the ice -- and from the same source. Cancro said that all the work that Tavares has done on his skating has paid off by giving him a stronger base and better lower body strength for his golf swing.


But John classifies himself as “just a good golfer” who like to play. Don’t most NHLers? It must be the swing motion.

Once again, when asked how he felt, Tavares reiterated that he felt great and had been cleared for months and had skated with the Long Knights. “You prepare as hard as you can in the off season….” even though the truth is, there is no longer really an off season. If you want to win, you work at it constantly.

Tavares knows the Islanders don’t have much wiggle room this season. They can’t afford another long losing stretch. “We struggled before Christmas. We have to be more consistent. It was disappointing. Just not good enough.” Tavares again looked back at the goaltending situation the Isles had last season and feels it’s “the most secure it’s been going into camp since I’ve been here.” He’s looking forward to the “stability” that Halak and Johnson will give the Isles.

Proving he never forgets a game, when he was asked about going back to play at the Barclay’s for their second game, he said he’d like it to be different than the first one. “I don’t think we scored.” He’s looking to change that. They’ll be more familiar with the new building, but getting a win will make it feel more like home.

Tavares is sympathetic to the fans on Long Island and know that this will be a difficult transition year. He wants to send it off the right way with a big year for all the fans that have been so supportive for so long.

The chase begins soon enough, but yesterday was about golf and hot dogs. And bees. Supposedly there were bees too.

Oh, the things you learn from Twitter.
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