'It Means A Lot For Me And My Family': Maple Leafs Honor John Tavares' 1,000th NHL Point With Golden Stick, Gifts and More in Tribute to Their Captain

Originally posted on Toronto Maple Leafs on SI
By David Alter | Last updated Dec 20, 2023 11:14 AM ET

Before the puck dropped in their game against the New York Rangers on Tuesday, the Toronto Maple Leafs honoured John Tavares in a pre-game ceremony to celebrate their captain's 1,000th NHL point.

As the players poured out onto the ice, Tavares' parents Barb and Joe, wife Aryne, and kids Jace, Axton and Rae stood behind a backdrop filled with a special logo made for John's accomplishment. John watched from the team's bench as a tribute video aired on the Scotiabank Arena screen.

Following the video, Tavares acknowledged the crowd and made his way to meet his family at the backdrop. After Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and Morgan Rielly approached to hand family members some flowers,

Leafs GM Brad Treliving presented Tavares with a crystal on behalf of the NHL. Treliving then unveiled a painting of Tavares that featured him displayed three times in three different jerseys with a '1000' painted on the ribbon boards of the arena.

He was then given a $25,000 check from the organization to go to the John Tavares Foundation.

Finally, Tavares received a golden stick with special engravings of achievements for the 1,000 points he had amassed. The stick was presented by Leafs Hall-of-Famer Darryl Sittler, who presented mini golden sticks to Tavares' kids.

"I can’t say enough about being a maple leaf and playing for this organization," Tavares said after the game. "Just the reception from everyone. Obviously some tremendous gifts and a lot of love. I appreciate it very much. It meant a lot for me and my family and great to share that moment with them."

The Maple Leafs lost 5-2 to the Rangers on Tuesday but it didn't damper the spirits of his teammates eagerly waiting to acknowledge their captain hitting the milestone last week.

"It’s well deserved," Matthews said while wearing a shirt commemorating Tavares' 1,000th point. "It’s awesome to see that recognition. See his family up there, his kids. The recognition from the crowd as well. It's definitely a special moment for him and his family but for everybody as well to see that."

Tavares picked up his 1,000th NHL point on Dec. 11 against the New York Islanders, the team that drafted him and where he spent his first nine NHL seasons. He assisted on Rielly's goal that tied the game 3-3 before the Islanders went on to win the game in overtime.