John Tavares, pro lacrosse's all-time leading scorer, retires

John Tavares, the all-time leading scorer in National Lacrosse League history, has retired.

Tavares, who played his entire NLL career with the Buffalo Bandits, announced the end of his lacrosse career on Wednesday.

The 46-year-old from Toronto retires with 815 goals and 934 assists over 24 seasons in Buffalo.

He will remain with the team as an assistant coach.

"Playing for the Bandits has been such a big part of my life, but all good things must come to an end," Tavares said in a statement. "It's time to start a new chapter."

Tavares is the first player in NLL history to have 500 goals and 500 assists.

He surpassed Gary Gait for the most points in NLL history on March 4, 2006, when he earned an assist against the Minnesota Swarm for career point 1,092.

Tavares was a two-time NLL MVP, winning the award in 2000 and 2001. He led the Bandits to the Champion's Cup final three times, winning the league title in 2008.

"It has been a privilege to watch John Tavares play in the NLL," NLL commissioner George Daniel said. "Beyond all of the records, championships and accolades, John has been a tremendous ambassador for the game. He gave everything he had out on the field each and every night."

He also won six Mann Cups, Canada's senior indoor lacrosse championship, with the Brampton Excelsiors (1992, 1993), Six Nations Chiefs (1994,'95,'96) and Victoria Shamrocks (2002).

Tavares worked as a math teacher at Philip Pocock Catholic Secondary School in Mississauga, Ont., for his entire pro lacrosse career.

His nephew, John Tavares, was drafted first overall by the NHL's New York Islanders in 2009 and is one of the league's top players.