John Tavares is a Canadian NHL center for the Toronto Maple Leafs, known for his scoring prowess and leadership. At 35, he’s still producing solid numbers in the 2025-26 season with 31 goals and 71 points.
John Tavares’s Biography
| Detail | Info |
| Full Name | John Tavares |
| Nickname | JT |
| Date of Birth | September 20, 1990 |
| Age | 35 years |
| Birthplace | Mississauga, ON, CAN |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Height | 6’1″ (185 cm) |
| Junior Team | Oakville MHA |
| Position | C/LW |
| Shoots | Left |
| Current Team | Toronto Maple Leafs |
| Salary | $5,500,000 |
| Spouse | Aryne Fuller |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| X (Twitter) | @91Tavares |
Born in Mississauga, Tavares grew up a die-hard Leafs fan in his hometown. He married Aryne Fuller in 2018 after dating for years; she’s a kinesiology expert and co-founder of his foundation. They keep family life private but share glimpses on social media.
Early Career
John Tavares dominated junior hockey with the Oshawa Generals in the OHL, becoming the league’s all-time goal leader with 215 goals in 247 games. He won back-to-back Memorial Cups in 2009 and 2010, showcasing elite scoring instincts early. Drafted first overall by the Islanders in 2009, he skipped college to go pro right away.
Professional Career
Tavares broke into the NHL with the Islanders in 2009-10, quickly becoming their captain and a top scorer with nine seasons there, including a 38-goal year.
He signed a 7-year, $77M deal with hometown Toronto Maple Leafs in 2018, serving as captain until 2024 and hitting career highs like 47 goals in 2018-19. Now on a team-friendly extension, he’s notched over 1,200 games with 520 goals and 655 assists total, still a key center at 35 despite no Cup yet.
Wife
John Tavares has been married to Aryne Fuller since August 4, 2018, tying the knot at a Canadian winery. Aryne, with degrees from McMaster and Queen’s in kinesiology and rehab therapy, co-founded the John Tavares Foundation to help kids and families. The couple, together over five years pre-wedding, stays low-key but supports each other through his NHL grind.
John Tavares’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, John Tavares’s net worth sits around $120 million combined with his wife Aryne, fueled by massive NHL contracts and smart investments. Career earnings top $111 million USD from salaries alone, ranking him 18th all-time. Endorsements and his foundation add to the pot without flashy spending.
Contract
Tavares signed a 4-year extension with the Maple Leafs on June 27, 2025, worth $17.52-$18 million total, running through 2028-29 with an AAV and cap hit of $4.38 million per season. It includes a no-move clause and was a discount to help Toronto’s cap space—he could’ve commanded more as a UFA. Signing bonuses structure the pay, like $4.5M total cash in 2025-26.
Salary
For 2025-26, Tavares earns $5.5 million total salary under his new deal, with $1M base and the rest from signing bonuses. This drops slightly in later years, like $5M in 2026-27, prioritizing team flexibility over max pay. Past AAV was $11M on his old contract, but he took the pay cut to stay in Toronto.
Career Earnings
| Season | Team | Salary | Total Earnings |
| 2009-10 | NYI | $900,000 | $900,000 |
| 2010-11 | NYI | $900,000 | $1,800,000 |
| 2011-12 | NYI | $900,000 | $2,700,000 |
| 2012-13 | NYI | $2,341,463 | $5,041,463 |
| 2013-14 | NYI | $5,000,000 | $10,041,463 |
| 2014-15 | NYI | $6,000,000 | $16,041,463 |
| 2015-16 | NYI | $6,000,000 | $22,041,463 |
| 2016-17 | NYI | $6,000,000 | $28,041,463 |
| 2017-18 | NYI | $6,000,000 | $34,041,463 |
| 2018-19 | TOR | $15,900,000 | $49,941,463 |
| 2019-20 | TOR | $15,900,000 | $65,841,463 |
| 2020-21 | TOR | $12,000,000 | $77,841,463 |
| 2021-22 | TOR | $9,350,000 | $87,191,463 |
| 2022-23 | TOR | $7,950,000 | $95,141,463 |
| 2023-24 | TOR | $7,950,000 | $103,091,463 |
| 2024-25 | TOR | $7,950,000 | $111,041,463 |
Endorsements
Tavares keeps endorsements selective, partnering with brands like CCM for gear, Vita Coco coconut water, Mission Athletecare cooling towels, and Ontario’s PROLINE betting. He teamed with OLG to promote playing for Ontario causes. No big 2026 updates, but these tie into his low-key, team-first style.
Career Stats
| Season | Team | GP | Goals | Assists | Points |
| 2009-10 | NYI | 82 | 24 | 33 | 57 |
| 2010-11 | NYI | 82 | 21 | 22 | 43 |
| 2011-12 | NYI | 82 | 31 | 50 | 81 |
| 2012-13 | NYI | 48 | 28 | 19 | 47 |
| 2013-14 | NYI | 82 | 38 | 33 | 71 |
| 2014-15 | NYI | 82 | 27 | 30 | 57 |
| 2015-16 | NYI | 77 | 32 | 27 | 59 |
| 2016-17 | NYI | 82 | 38 | 29 | 67 |
| 2017-18 | NYI | 82 | 37 | 47 | 84 |
| 2018-19 | TOR | 82 | 47 | 41 | 88 |
| 2019-20 | TOR | 80 | 26 | 36 | 62 |
| 2020-21 | TOR | 56 | 6 | 20 | 26 |
| 2021-22 | TOR | 79 | 27 | 40 | 67 |
| 2022-23 | TOR | 80 | 29 | 46 | 75 |
| 2023-24 | TOR | 75 | 38 | 36 | 74 |
| 2024-25 | TOR | ~80 | ~29 | ~36 | ~65 |
| 2025-26 | TOR | 81 | 31 | 40 | 71 |
Career Total: 1,257 GP, 520 G, 655 A, 1,175 P
FAQs
1. Who is John Tavares in hockey?
John Tavares is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL and has previously played for the New York Islanders. He is known as a top‑line centre and offensive leader at both the NHL and international levels.
2. Where was John Tavares born and raised?
John Tavares was born on September 20, 1990, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, and grew up playing minor hockey in the Greater Toronto Area before moving up through the Ontario junior ranks.
3. When and by which team was John Tavares drafted into the NHL?
John Tavares was selected first overall by the New York Islanders in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft after a dominant junior career in the Ontario Hockey League.
4. What major junior teams did John Tavares play for?
John Tavares played for the Oshawa Generals in the Ontario Hockey League, where he became the league’s all‑time leading goal‑scorer in junior and won multiple OHL and CHL individual awards.
5. Has John Tavares won any major international tournaments?
Yes, John Tavares has won back‑to‑back gold medals with Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championships in 2008 and 2009 and has also represented Canada at senior men’s events, including the World Cup of Hockey.
6. What NHL teams has John Tavares played for?
John Tavares has played for the New York Islanders and the Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL, spending his first nine seasons with the Islanders before signing with the Maple Leafs in 2018.
7. What leadership roles has John Tavares held in the NHL?
John Tavares served as captain of the New York Islanders for several seasons and later became captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs before stepping down from that role in 2024, remaining an alternate captain.
8. How many career NHL goals and points does John Tavares have?
John Tavares has recorded over 500 career NHL goals and more than 1,100 career points across more than 1,200 regular‑season games with the Islanders and Maple Leafs.
9. What is John Tavares’ position and playing style?
John Tavares plays primarily as a centre and is known for his strong two‑way game, elite puck‑handling, offensive creativity, and ability to drive play at both even strength and on the power play.
10. What notable awards or honours has John Tavares won in his junior and NHL career?
John Tavares has won OHL and CHL Player of the Year honours, OHL scoring titles, and international MVP and Top Forward awards at the World Juniors, in addition to being a multiple‑time NHL All‑Star and a finalist for several individual NHL awards.