Islanders Forward John Tavares out for NHL season, latest league player hurt at Olympics

SOCHI, Russia - John Tavares has had an NHL-season-ending injury at the Olympics.

The New York Islanders say Tavares will not return to play for them this season because of a ligament and meniscus tear in his left knee.

Tavares is expected to stay with Team Canada for the remainder of the Sochi Games before returning home for further evaluation.

The star and captain of the Islanders was injured with a big hit along the boards by Latvia's Arturs Kulda in the second period of Canada's 2-1 victory Wednesday night. Tavares writhed on the ice in pain for several seconds before skating to the bench and going to his team's dressing room.

The 23-year-old Tavares is the NHL's third-leading scorer with 66 points in 59 games for the Islanders.