Islanders milk the intrigue, take Tavares No. 1

MONTREAL | The New York Islanders kept everyone guessing, including John Tavares himself, right up until they made the high-scoring center the No. 1 pick in the 2009 NHL entry draft. The Islanders chose Tavares, an 18-year-old junior star with the London Knights, with the first overall pick ahead of 6-foot-6, 220-pound Swedish defenseman Victor Hedman, the top-ranked European prospect. The Tampa Bay Lightning took Hedman, and the Colorado Avalanche followed with forward Matt Duchene, the first three selections going as expected. Tavares, a 6-foot, 185-pound native of Oakville, Ontario, led the Ontario Hockey League with 58 goals this season ... Email </a