Fifth All-Star Game an Honor for Tavares

John Tavares looks at Josh Bailey attending his first all-star game and he knows how excited he is to be at the event.
That's because he's never lost that feeling, even as he heads into his fifth all-star weekend.
"You get a better understanding the more you come, but the honor and the fun part of being around all these players, being recognized as an all-star, the feeling is still the same and the honor is as special as it was the first time," Tavares said.

Tavares was named an all-star for a fifth time and he doesn't take that honor lightly. He enjoys being around and picking the brains of the top players in the league and to be thought of in the same class as the game's greatest players.
And no two years have been alike. In 2012 he was a part of an NHL all-star fantasy draft, being drafted to Team Alfredsson. In 2015 he tied an All-Star Game record with four goals, becoming the first player since Dany Heatley in 2003 to do so. In 2016 he won the Accuracy Shooting competition, sniping the four targets in 12.294 seconds and played in the first three-on-three All-Star Game. Last year, he won a cool $100K, as the Metropolitan Division won the three-on-three tournament.
This year, he's bringing his linemate, who's having a tremendous year and is on the path to easily topple his career-highs. Bailey is tied for third in the NHL with 42 assists and is tied for 10th with 54 points in 46 games.
"It's special," Tavares said. "He's not just a teammate, but a linemate, a guy I played with over the last couple of years. It's great to see him get the recognition he deserves. He's been a big reason why I've had a lot of success in the last number of years."
Participating in a new skills competition event - the Gatorade Puck Control Relay - is also a new wrinkle that will separate 2018 from the rest.

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Tavares is as serious as they come during the season, so all-star is a chance to have some fun. On Friday he stopped by the Players and Puppies event sponsored by the Humane Society and is spending the with his family. This year he's brought his fiancé Aryne, his parents Joe and Barb, Aryne's brother and his girlfriend.
"As a kid you grow up watching a lot of all-star games and you know it's a special thing to be an all-star and be recognized in the NHL amongst your peers," Tavares said. You want a lot of people that helped you get here - especially as a kid - get the NHL experience."
The captain knows it's a privilege and NHL careers don't last forever. So while there's likely more all-stars ahead, he's going to savor each one.
"You just want to share it with everybody, experience it all, enjoy the weekend and soak it all in," Tavares said. "These opportunities, this recognition, you don't want to take it for granted."