Islanders' John Tavares returns to ice, skates with OHL's London Knights

The Ontario Hockey League's London Knights have called upon a notable member of their star-studded alumni to help prepare for their Memorial Cup bid next week.

For the first time since damaging the medial collateral ligament and meniscus in his left knee at the Olympics in Sochi, New York Islanders captain John Tavares is back on skates to stage the next phase of his recovery while lending his expertise to a club who helped bred his development.

Tavares scored 32 goals and 50 points in 24 games after a trade from the Oshawa Generals landed Tavares in London during the back-end of his draft season in junior. 

The 23-year-old is expected to be fully recovered in time for Islanders' training camp.