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| Big Numbers in Lacrosse, but Math Teacher First | |
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| BUFFALO — Ask the Islanders star John Tavares about his most influential role models, and he will tell you he has always looked up to his uncle John. | BUFFALO — Ask the Islanders star John Tavares about his most influential role models, and he will tell you he has always looked up to his uncle John. |
| Uncle John is named John Tavares, too. He is a 44-year-old math teacher at Philip Pocock Catholic Secondary School in Mississauga, Ontario, where he has taught algebra, geometry, trigonometry and calculus to students in Grades 9 through 12 since 1998. | Uncle John is named John Tavares, too. He is a 44-year-old math teacher at Philip Pocock Catholic Secondary School in Mississauga, Ontario, where he has taught algebra, geometry, trigonometry and calculus to students in Grades 9 through 12 since 1998. |
| He is also the highest-scoring player in the history of indoor lacrosse. | He is also the highest-scoring player in the history of indoor lacrosse. |
| In 22 seasons with the Buffalo Bandits of the National Lacrosse League, he has collected 779 goals, 887 assists and 1,666 points. He has amassed similarly stratospheric totals playing summer lacrosse for teams in Ontario and in British Columbia. The games he plays in Buffalo and Toronto and in other N.L.L. arenas stretching all the way to Colorado and Washington State regularly draw crowds of 15,000. He has been on 12 championship teams. | |
| Tavares may be reaching the end of his career in box lacrosse, as the sport is known among the Canadians, Six Nations Indians and upstate New Yorkers who have played it for some 80 years. But lacrosse was always just a second job. | Tavares may be reaching the end of his career in box lacrosse, as the sport is known among the Canadians, Six Nations Indians and upstate New Yorkers who have played it for some 80 years. But lacrosse was always just a second job. |
| “This is my bread and butter,” he said, sitting on his desk at the head of his classroom in Mississauga. “I love teaching. Long after I’m done playing lacrosse, I’ll be a teacher. This is my career.” | “This is my bread and butter,” he said, sitting on his desk at the head of his classroom in Mississauga. “I love teaching. Long after I’m done playing lacrosse, I’ll be a teacher. This is my career.” |
| Tavares has long been called the Wayne Gretzky of lacrosse, but strolling with him through the halls of Philip Pocock last week, there is little sense that in about 30 hours he will be standing on an arena floor in a face-masked black helmet before 19,000 pumped-up fans. He just appears to be an exceptionally fit teacher, the kind who banters with students and colleagues and has a famous younger relative. | Tavares has long been called the Wayne Gretzky of lacrosse, but strolling with him through the halls of Philip Pocock last week, there is little sense that in about 30 hours he will be standing on an arena floor in a face-masked black helmet before 19,000 pumped-up fans. He just appears to be an exceptionally fit teacher, the kind who banters with students and colleagues and has a famous younger relative. |
| “Tell your nephew to stop killing us,” said Tino Malta, an assistant principal, referring to the two goals the younger Tavares scored in a 5-3 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs the night before. | “Tell your nephew to stop killing us,” said Tino Malta, an assistant principal, referring to the two goals the younger Tavares scored in a 5-3 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs the night before. |
| Tavares grew up in this part of Mississauga and attended the same school, though in an older building. He takes visitors to the school’s athletic wing, where pictures of past football and basketball teams hang on the walls with Tavares in a shag haircut, circa 1987. | Tavares grew up in this part of Mississauga and attended the same school, though in an older building. He takes visitors to the school’s athletic wing, where pictures of past football and basketball teams hang on the walls with Tavares in a shag haircut, circa 1987. |
| “John really compartmentalizes his two lives,” said Henry Tyndorf, the school principal. “Most kids don’t know about his lacrosse life. When they do find out, they’re impressed. But it’s not because they’re star-struck — it’s because they’ve gotten to know him as a math teacher. He does not trumpet his athletic career.” | “John really compartmentalizes his two lives,” said Henry Tyndorf, the school principal. “Most kids don’t know about his lacrosse life. When they do find out, they’re impressed. But it’s not because they’re star-struck — it’s because they’ve gotten to know him as a math teacher. He does not trumpet his athletic career.” |
| The athletic career never paid much. Tavares earns $30,000 a year playing for the Bandits, making him one of the highest-paid players in the N.L.L. Players typically make half that, and some as little as $9,000. Almost all of them have regular weekday jobs. Three of Tavares’s Bandits teammates are also teachers; two are landscapers. Others are accountants, bartenders, electricians, car salesmen and pipe fitters. | The athletic career never paid much. Tavares earns $30,000 a year playing for the Bandits, making him one of the highest-paid players in the N.L.L. Players typically make half that, and some as little as $9,000. Almost all of them have regular weekday jobs. Three of Tavares’s Bandits teammates are also teachers; two are landscapers. Others are accountants, bartenders, electricians, car salesmen and pipe fitters. |
| “Monday to Friday you have your day job, then comes the weekend, and it’s time to put on the helmet and battle,” said Steve Dietrich, once a teammate of Tavares and now the Bandits’ general manager. “We all know we’re not going to make a living at this. We know we’re all lucky enough to play a sport we love, get something for it, play in nice arenas in front of a lot of people. None of us would have it any other way.” | “Monday to Friday you have your day job, then comes the weekend, and it’s time to put on the helmet and battle,” said Steve Dietrich, once a teammate of Tavares and now the Bandits’ general manager. “We all know we’re not going to make a living at this. We know we’re all lucky enough to play a sport we love, get something for it, play in nice arenas in front of a lot of people. None of us would have it any other way.” |
| Tavares, the son of Portuguese immigrants, said lacrosse led “to some of the best things that have happened to me.” | Tavares, the son of Portuguese immigrants, said lacrosse led “to some of the best things that have happened to me.” |
| Early in his career with Buffalo, a fan told him about the teaching degree offered by D’Youville College. Tavares enrolled, earned his degree and was hired by Philip Pocock. In 2001, while playing summer lacrosse in Victoria, British Columbia, he met his wife, Katrina Scott, a former Canadian national team rower. In 2006, the night he broke Gary Gait’s points record, Katrina gave birth to their first child after Tavares raced her to the hospital at 110 miles per hour, having asked the Canadian border officer’s permission to speed. | Early in his career with Buffalo, a fan told him about the teaching degree offered by D’Youville College. Tavares enrolled, earned his degree and was hired by Philip Pocock. In 2001, while playing summer lacrosse in Victoria, British Columbia, he met his wife, Katrina Scott, a former Canadian national team rower. In 2006, the night he broke Gary Gait’s points record, Katrina gave birth to their first child after Tavares raced her to the hospital at 110 miles per hour, having asked the Canadian border officer’s permission to speed. |
| Tavares has won four N.L.L. championships with the Bandits. He has also won a record eight Mann Cup titles, a trophy awarded to the Canadian amateur champions since 1901. He won those summertime titles with the Brampton Excelsiors, the Six Nations Chiefs, the Victoria Shamrocks and, last year, the Peterborough Lakers. He played for no salary, just expenses. | Tavares has won four N.L.L. championships with the Bandits. He has also won a record eight Mann Cup titles, a trophy awarded to the Canadian amateur champions since 1901. He won those summertime titles with the Brampton Excelsiors, the Six Nations Chiefs, the Victoria Shamrocks and, last year, the Peterborough Lakers. He played for no salary, just expenses. |
| “My uncle is the best to ever play the sport,” said the younger Tavares, 22, who was the Bandits’ ball boy for a couple of seasons and a teenage lacrosse star himself. “He’s a remarkable athlete who had a huge impact on me growing up. I’ve always been a huge fan of his and wanted to be like him.” | “My uncle is the best to ever play the sport,” said the younger Tavares, 22, who was the Bandits’ ball boy for a couple of seasons and a teenage lacrosse star himself. “He’s a remarkable athlete who had a huge impact on me growing up. I’ve always been a huge fan of his and wanted to be like him.” |
| Tavares said he admired his nephew’s achievements as a highly acclaimed junior hockey player, the No. 1 draft pick in 2009 and a Hart Trophy candidate this year as the Islanders claimed their first playoff berth since 2007. He marvels at his humility, a quality the younger Tavares said he learned from his uncle. | Tavares said he admired his nephew’s achievements as a highly acclaimed junior hockey player, the No. 1 draft pick in 2009 and a Hart Trophy candidate this year as the Islanders claimed their first playoff berth since 2007. He marvels at his humility, a quality the younger Tavares said he learned from his uncle. |
| “He keeps improving, and he has always maintained a level head — I respect that,” Tavares said. “I couldn’t imagine, actually, what it would be like where you’re in the limelight at a young age.” | “He keeps improving, and he has always maintained a level head — I respect that,” Tavares said. “I couldn’t imagine, actually, what it would be like where you’re in the limelight at a young age.” |
| Tavares, the Bandits’ captain, has his own way of handling a leadership role. Dietrich said he can lead by scoring five goals in a game, or by walking around the dressing room in leopard-print underwear to break a teamwide funk during a losing streak. (“Who told you about that?” Tavares said, laughing.) Until he was slowed this season by injuries and age, Tavares was always at or near the top of the league scoring list. | Tavares, the Bandits’ captain, has his own way of handling a leadership role. Dietrich said he can lead by scoring five goals in a game, or by walking around the dressing room in leopard-print underwear to break a teamwide funk during a losing streak. (“Who told you about that?” Tavares said, laughing.) Until he was slowed this season by injuries and age, Tavares was always at or near the top of the league scoring list. |
| “He’s never been the fastest or the strongest, but he’s always played the smartest,” said Darris Kilgour, another former teammate who is now the Bandits’ coach. “Johnny knows what you’re thinking, and he knows how to turn it to his advantage.” | “He’s never been the fastest or the strongest, but he’s always played the smartest,” said Darris Kilgour, another former teammate who is now the Bandits’ coach. “Johnny knows what you’re thinking, and he knows how to turn it to his advantage.” |
| Last Friday, Tavares repeated the routine he has followed for the better part of two decades. He taught two Grade 9 advanced math classes and one university-level Grade 11 math class, went home for dinner with his wife, 7-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter, gathered his lacrosse gear and made the 90-minute drive to Buffalo. | Last Friday, Tavares repeated the routine he has followed for the better part of two decades. He taught two Grade 9 advanced math classes and one university-level Grade 11 math class, went home for dinner with his wife, 7-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter, gathered his lacrosse gear and made the 90-minute drive to Buffalo. |
| This time, though, was a bit different. He had a torn calf muscle and was not sure if he could play Saturday in the Bandits’ season finale against the Rochester Knighthawks, a game Buffalo had to win to make the playoffs. | This time, though, was a bit different. He had a torn calf muscle and was not sure if he could play Saturday in the Bandits’ season finale against the Rochester Knighthawks, a game Buffalo had to win to make the playoffs. |
| By game time, Tavares could not be mistaken for a math teacher. Focused, he strode out on the floor to take warm-ups with the rest of the Bandits. His damaged calf permitted him to go out only on power plays and other offense-only situations. He stood to the right of the net, his stick poised to strike, unable to move very much. | By game time, Tavares could not be mistaken for a math teacher. Focused, he strode out on the floor to take warm-ups with the rest of the Bandits. His damaged calf permitted him to go out only on power plays and other offense-only situations. He stood to the right of the net, his stick poised to strike, unable to move very much. |
| With 21 seconds left in the first quarter, Tavares appeared to score a brilliant goal to give the Bandits a 5-4 lead. He received the ball behind the net, leapt in the air to avoid taking a foot-in-the-crease foul and reached his stick over the Rochester goalie’s shoulder but underneath the crossbar. But the officials conferred and waived off the goal for a crease violation. | With 21 seconds left in the first quarter, Tavares appeared to score a brilliant goal to give the Bandits a 5-4 lead. He received the ball behind the net, leapt in the air to avoid taking a foot-in-the-crease foul and reached his stick over the Rochester goalie’s shoulder but underneath the crossbar. But the officials conferred and waived off the goal for a crease violation. |
| Tavares assisted on two Buffalo goals, but with 10 seconds left, the Bandits trailed, 10-9, and had one last possession. | Tavares assisted on two Buffalo goals, but with 10 seconds left, the Bandits trailed, 10-9, and had one last possession. |
| His teammates got Tavares the ball, but his pass across the floor was intercepted. The Bandits lost and were eliminated. | His teammates got Tavares the ball, but his pass across the floor was intercepted. The Bandits lost and were eliminated. |
| “That’s going to be hard on me for the next couple of days, because I turned it over,” Tavares told a small knot of reporters afterward. | “That’s going to be hard on me for the next couple of days, because I turned it over,” Tavares told a small knot of reporters afterward. |
| He was asked if he would come back for one more season, with Buffalo next January, or with the Peterborough Lakers, whose season begins next month. | He was asked if he would come back for one more season, with Buffalo next January, or with the Peterborough Lakers, whose season begins next month. |
| “I’d love to say yes — I mean, I love playing lacrosse, as you know — but it depends on how I feel healthwise,” Tavares said, rattling off the series of knee and calf injuries he had this year. “I’ll have to reassess my body in the next couple of weeks, talk to my wife. I know my kids want me to play — whenever I talk to them, they say, ‘One more year, Dad, one more year!’ So it’s tough to let go. We’ll see what happens.” | “I’d love to say yes — I mean, I love playing lacrosse, as you know — but it depends on how I feel healthwise,” Tavares said, rattling off the series of knee and calf injuries he had this year. “I’ll have to reassess my body in the next couple of weeks, talk to my wife. I know my kids want me to play — whenever I talk to them, they say, ‘One more year, Dad, one more year!’ So it’s tough to let go. We’ll see what happens.” |
| With that, Tavares thanked the reporters and returned to the Bandits’ dressing room. On Sunday, he and his family would drive home to Mississauga. After that, John Tavares would be back in the classroom. | With that, Tavares thanked the reporters and returned to the Bandits’ dressing room. On Sunday, he and his family would drive home to Mississauga. After that, John Tavares would be back in the classroom. |
Allan Kreda contributed reporting from Uniondale, N.Y. | Allan Kreda contributed reporting from Uniondale, N.Y. |