Tavares makes his Islanders debut

After days filled with news conferences and other off-ice obligations, John Tavares is happy to be doing what he likes best – playing hockey.

Tavares stepped on the ice as an NHL player for the first time just after 11 a.m. on Friday when his group began its workout at the New York Islanders' week-long development camp. He was one of 20 players in Group 1, along with fellow 2009 draft picks Calvin de Haan, Casey Cizikas, Anders Lee and goaltender Mikko Koskinen.

"It was nice to get on the ice for the first time and get more comfortable, get the kinks out, feel more at home and get used to the systems and the practices we're going to be having," Tavares said. "This camp is part of the building blocks for a lot of the players and prospects that will be in the system and be with the club for a long time. So we form relationships and friendships and share stories and memories of playing when you were young ... these things are definitely important."

Tavares' skills were evident in several of the drills – he toasted a teammate in a 1-on-1 exercise and showed the quick release and nose for the net that made him the leading goal-scorer in the history of the Ontario Hockey League.

But after being off the ice for several weeks after he and the London Knights were eliminated from the OHL playoffs, Tavares was happy just to be skating again.

"Today was good on the ice to get my feet wet, and I want to get better each day," he told the media scrum after his first workout as a pro. "It's been a while since I've been at a high-tempo practice, since the end of my (junior) season. I think every day I'll feel better and start to play better as well.

Tavares' presence has brought far more fans and media attention to the rookie camp than ever before. But when informed by a television reporter that jerseys and merchandise bearing his No. 91 were outselling those of his veteran teammates, the 18-year-old looked a trifle embarrassed.

"It makes me feel a little more comfortable, a little more like home," he said of the reaction to his arrival on Long Island.

Though his jerseys and T-shirts are selling like hotcakes, Tavares has been very conscious of trying to blend in with his new team – despite the fact that he's the one the fans and media are turning out to see.

"I want to be treated like everyone else," Tavares said. "I'm here to learn just like everyone else. I just want to be a hard-working guy.

"I just try to show that I'm a humble guy. I don't want to be treated any different than anyone else. I have to earn everything, like everybody else. I want to come in and be a hard-working guy with a lot of respect and stay a humble kid like I've been ever since I was young. That's the way I was brought up with my family and my parents. When I get a lot of attention, I try to spread it around and make sure everybody is involved."

Though even contending for the Cup is likely to take a few years – Tavares is joining a team that finished last overall in 2008-09 -- if his first day of practice was any indication, Tavares will get his wish about blending in. Coach Scott Gordon said he didn't pay any extra attention to Tavares during his time on the ice at his first Islanders workout.

"Right now, he just wants to fit in and be one of the guys," Gordon said. "He still hasn't played an NHL hockey game, and there are only a few NHL players and some American League players who played in Bridgeport. This is a great opportunity for him to get a feel for things I think this is a great opportunity to get a feel for everything so that when he gets to camp, the biggest thing is that he's going to be comfortable in his environment."

If that's Gordon's goal, it's paying off.

"It's interesting to find out the kind of system we're going to play," Tavares said. "There are different elements I haven't learned before. Maybe just seeing something new will take a little more time than usual, but it's great. Scott's been great at working with me in the last couple of days. The whole organization has made me feel right at home and really comfortable."