Tavares does a star turn at NHL's Manhattan store
Photo credit: David Pokress | The Islanders' John Tavares signed autographs for about 200 fans at the NHL's fan store in Manhattan on Tuesday.
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John Tavares
In the NHL store in midtown Manhattan on Tuesday, the selling of John Tavares got under way in earnest.
Tavares made his first appearance at the league's retail outlet, signing about 200 pictures for fans who stood in a line that snaked around the modestly sized store. There weren't quite as many fans there Tuesday evening as there were when Alex Ovechkin came in and played Wii hockey, but still, an Islander just being invited is newsworthy.
There was also Tavares wearing some of the prototype gear for his new Reebok-CCM clothing line that will be out around May.
Yes, that's right: Tavares is joining Sidney Crosby and Ovechkin as the only NHL players with their own line.
"It's pretty cool to be recognized with those two guys," Tavares said after the signing. "It's awesome to have something like this and it's a great way to connect with people."
The hat read: "JT 91, Property of Long Island, NY." Should be interesting to see the kids across Canada wearing Long Island across their caps.
The shirt: "Tavares" across the top in gothic letters, with an intricate design on the rest. Sort of like an Ed Hardy shirt, but nicer. Less obnoxious.
So Tavares is hitting the big time. These marketing ideas have been in the works for a year -- Tavares signed on with CCM for his equipment back when he was just 16 -- but they might have fallen a bit flat had he not started off his NHL career the way he has.
Tavares leads all rookies and the Islanders in goals and points, with 10 and 21. He's second among Isles forwards in ice time. Tavares came in as the star and he's living up to his star billing on the ice.
Off the ice, he doesn't always seem the most at ease, but he's getting there.
"It's been fun," Tavares said of life after the draft. He was the most celebrated amateur player in Canada for two years. The draft was plenty of fanfare, as was his first game in Toronto last week. But day to day, he's leading a quiet rookie life.
"I'm figuring out what I need to do each day, whether it's cooking dinner for myself or getting to the rink," he said.
He spent an hour sitting behind a table in the NHL store Tuesday, patiently shaking hands, signing and posing for pictures. He'd only been into Manhattan a few times before - "I'm finding out about LIE traffic," he said before heading back to the Island right in the teeth of rush hour - but was warming to life in the big city, too.
There were plenty of Islander fans on the line, but a few also wearing Penguins and Rangers shirts.
One man near the front eagerly shook Tavares' hand and waited for an autograph.
"I'm actually a Devils fan," the man blurted out. "But I like you, too."
Tavares, property of Long Island, NY, smiled. When you have your own clothing line, your own marquee hour in the league's flagship store, you have to grin and bear it.
