It’s August in Ontario and Toronto Maple Leafs charity hockey season continues to roll along, with John Tavares remaining an active participant. The veteran Maple Leafs forward captained Team Plaid for the Boots And Hearts Barn Burner Charity Hockey Game at Sadlon Arena in Barrie, Ontario, this past week.
Los Angeles Kings superstar Quinton Byfield captained the other team.
The event, which featured NHL, PWHL, and Junior players, raised $605,210 for local Barrie charities and community causes, including the RVH Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the John Tavares Foundation’s programs for kids, PIE Education, the Rotary Club, and several other organizations.
Tavares is a repeat participant in the event, which is not surprising considering the 34-year-old spends his offseason in the Simcoe and Muskoka area, and talked to CTV Barrie about making the most out of the offseason.
“I think we try to enjoy it like everyone else, but obviously a lot of hard work behind the scenes and getting ready for another year and the challenge that you have ahead,” Tavares said. “So, it's a great time to catch up with friends and family, get away from it a little bit, and recharge the batteries”.
Tavares isn’t the only Leaf taking part in charity game festivities. Auston Matthews is scheduled to participate in the Hockey Night In Brampton game on August 20. Tavares has been a team captain for that game in the past as well.
Beyond his charity work, Tavares recently inked a four-year extension worth a $4.38 million average annual value. This move has been praised by Maple Leafs fans as a substantial hometown discount for a player who scored 38 goals last season. In the spring playoffs, Tavares scored five goals and added two assists in 13 games. It’s expected that he will reprise his role as the club’s second-line center, but depending on other moves Toronto could make, there is the potential for his role to fluctuate.
Another feather in Tavares' camp this summer is he was one of several invitees to Team Canada's 2026 Olympic Orientation Camp this summer. Tavares won a Gold Medal for Canada at the 2014 Games but is considered a longshot to crack the 2026 roster.
The original version of this story first appeared on The Hockey News: Maple Leafs’ John Tavares Stars In Annual Boots And Hearts Charity Game in Barrie
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