Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares was named as one of the 50 greatest players in Canadian Hockey League history.

Tavares was granted exceptional status into the Ontario Hockey League as an underage forward, after a prodigious minor hockey career with the Toronto Marlboros. He was the best player in Ontario, playing 18 months up and was selected first overall by the Oshawa Generals in the 2005 OHL Priority Selection. Tavares spent parts of four seasons with the Generals, before being traded to the London Knights in his final OHL campaign during the 2008-09 season. Tavares was then selected first overall by the New York Islanders, and made the NHL as an 18-year-old.

It’s a tremendous accomplishment, and Tavares met the hype as one of the most anticipated major junior prospects in Canadian history. During his second season in the OHL, Tavares scored 72 goals, the greatest single-season output of the 21st century.

Tavares wasn’t the only player with ties to the Maple Leafs on the list. Doug Gilmour, Brendan Shanahan, Larry Murphy, Grant Fuhr, Ron Francis, Joe Thornton and Eric Lindros were all named to the team.

It’s been 20 years since Tavares made his OHL debut, but he remains one of the focal points of the Maple Leafs. Tavares was Toronto’s first-quarter MVP, and has recorded 20 goals and 47 points in 57 games for the Maple Leafs. He signed a four-year extension with the Maple Leafs last summer, effectively ensuring that he will remain with the organization for the duration of his career. It’s been a remarkable hockey life for Tavares, and this remains the latest accomplishment in a series full of milestones for the decorated forward.PRESENTED BY OFF THE ROSTERIntroducing Off The Roster—Toronto Sports, Unfiltered! Toronto sports fans, your new favourite conversation has arrived. Hosted by Cabbie Richards, Lindsay Dunn, and Dan Riccio, Off The Roster dives into the city’s legendary plays, brutal trades, OG jerseys, celebrity tweets, and everything in between. Raw, fun, and totally unfiltered, this is Toronto sports like you’ve never heard it before. Tune in live every weekday morning on the Nation Network YouTube channel, or catch episodes wherever you stream podcasts. Proudly brought to you by our founding partner, PROLINE. Off The Roster—the new sound in the 6ix.