BUFFALO, N.Y. (February 15, 2008) - The Buffalo Bandits announced today they will be honoring John Tavares for his career accomplishments Saturday, February 16 before they face-off against the Minnesota Swarm at 7:30 p.m.
There will be a pre-game ceremony on the field in which Bandits Director of Lacrosse Operations, Dave Zygaj, will present Tavares with a trophy to commemorate his many accomplishments in the National Lacrosse League.
Now in his 17th season, Tavares became the NLL's all-time goal-scoring leader with a four-goal performance on January 19 in the Bandits 17-13 win over the New York Titans. Tavares scored his 597th career goal in the third period at HSBC Arena to break Gary Gait's record of 596 career goals. He is currently 2nd in league scoring with 36 (11+25) points in six games this season.
Tavares scored his 600th career goal mark February 8 at 2:25 of the fourth quarter in Buffalo's 17-9 victory over Calgary.
Tavares has led the Bandits in goals 12 out of 16 seasons and led the team in points 14 out of 16. Tavares also holds several other Bandits single season records including: most goals in a season with 51 (2001), most assists 64 (2001) and most points in a single season with 115 (2001). He also holds the Bandits all time record with 12 hat tricks in a single season (2004). Tavares scored the first goal of his NLL career in his first game on January 4, 1992 against the New York Saints.
Following four straight road games, Buffalo returns home to HSBC Arena on Saturday, February 16 to face the Minnesota Swarm. Individual game tickets are priced $19, $21, $29. Tickets are available in person at the HSBC Arena Box Office, at all tickets.com outlets in Tops Markets, online at
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