Tavares sets new OHL goal scoring record

John Tavares scored three goals, including the game-winner in the third period, to lead the London Knights to a 4-3 win over the Windsor Spitfires and put his name into the OHL record books as the league’s all-time top scorer.

Tavares tied Peter Lee’s career mark of 213 goals when he opened the scoring less than five minutes into the game. He set the new record with his second goal of the game midway through the third period and then scored the game winner on a powerplay with less than two minutes left in the game. Tavares now has 215 goals with two games left in the season.

Lee set the previous record with the Ottawa 67’s from 1971-1976.

Tavares moved past Stan Drulia into second place on the all-time goal scoring list with his 199th goal against the Rangers on February 15th. He also scored his 200th career goal in that game.

Tavares scored his 50th goal of the season last Friday to give the Knights a 2-1 overtime win over the Erie Otters. He added two more on Sunday against the Kingston Frontenacs and leads the OHL scoring race with 100 points this season despite missing time away at Christmas to help Canada win the gold medal at the World Juniors in Ottawa where he was named tournament MVP.

The OHL Information Guide and Record Book incorrectly listed Lee’s scoring totals as 215 for several years but league statistician Herb Morell researched the final league official statistics from each season that Lee participated in to confirm that Lee’s actual total goals scored was 213. League records have been updated to reflect this correction.

Career scoring statistics of the OHL’s all-time best goal scorers

Peter Lee                                            GP          G             A             PTS         PIM
1971-72  Ottawa 67’s                      12           1              0              1              0
1972-73  Ottawa 67’s                      63           25           51           76           110
1973-74  Ottawa 67’s                      69           38           42           80           40
1974-75  Ottawa 67’s                      70           68           58           126         82
1975-76  Ottawa 67’s                      66           81           80           161         59
                  OHL Totals                     280         213         231         444         291

John Tavares                                      GP          G             A             PTS         PIM
2005-06  Oshawa Generals           65           45           32           77           72
2006-07  Oshawa Generals           67           72           62           134         60
2007-08  Oshawa Generals           59           40           78           118         69
2008-09  Oshawa Generals           32           26           28           54           32
                  London Knights               23           32          18           50          22
                  OHL Totals                      246        215         218        433        255

OHL record for most goals in a career

215 – John Tavares, Oshawa/London (2005-06 through 2008-09)
213 – Peter Lee, Ottawa (1971-72 through 1975-76)
198 – Stan Drulia, Niagara Falls/Hamilton/Belleville (1984-85 through 1988-89)
194 – Dale McCourt, Sudbury/Hamilton (1972-73 through 1976-77