Islanders forward Tavares named to NHL All-Star team

6:44 PM, January 12, 2012 ι By BRETT CYRGALIS

The Islanders morning skate had come and gone, and around noon John Tavares' phone rang. It was assistant coach and assistant general manager Doug Weight, telling Tavares the NHL had released its All-Star roster and the 21-year-old was named to the first team of his career.

“I remember [Wayne] Gretzky, I remember when [Dany] Heatley had four goals, I remember when Owen Nolan called the goal against [Dominik] Hasek,” Tavares said before Thursday night’s game against the Flyers at Nassau Coliseum. “I always looked up to those players, and being an elite player and being recognized that way is pretty special. It’s still sinking in, for sure.”

It may have taken Tavares 2 1/2 seasons to get there, but he is now among the league’s elite. He led the Islanders in scoring with 14 goals and 25 assists, the 39-point total placing him tied for 21st in the league.

“I feel like I’m getting better every year, every game,” Tavares said. “I feel like I’m getting to get to know the league a little better, I feel my game’s evolving. I think it’s all translating and coming together here.”

Tavares was the only Islanders player to be named to the team and the first since defenseman Mark Streit made it in 2008-09. The game will be held Jan. 29 at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, the home province of the Oakville, Ontario native.

“I just play the game the way you’re supposed to play it, I think, and if these things come along, it’s great,” Tavares said. “It’s a great honor. It’s something I looked up to as a kid.”