Bo Horvat the Canadian professional ice hockey center has taken a new stride in his career by joining the New York Islanders in 2023. Born on April 5, 1995, in London, Ontario. Horvat’s journey from playing basement hockey in his childhood to becoming a key player in the NHL is nothing short of remarkable.
Early Life
Horvat’s hockey roots run deep. Growing up in Rodney, Ontario, he was just a stone’s throw away from Detroit, Michigan, where he attended numerous Detroit Red Wings games as a young enthusiast. He honed his skills alongside his younger brother Cal spending countless hours practicing in the family basement. Bo’s passion for the sport led him to leave home at the tender age of 12 moving in with a billet family to join the Toronto Red Wings minor ice hockey team.
One of the defining moments in Horvat’s early career was in 2008 when he played a pivotal role in the Red Wings’ victory over the London Jr. Knights in the All-Toronto Peewee AAA hockey tournament. His remarkable performance including 10 goals and 16 points during the round-robin stage showcased his immense talent.
Journey
In the 2010–11 minor hockey season, Horvat continued to make waves, this time with the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs of the Alliance Hockey organization. His extraordinary record of 118 points in 68 games including 47 goals and 71 assists earned him the title of league player of the year. However, his coach, Rob Simpson noted that Horvat occasionally “cheated defensively” due to his eagerness to score.
Horvat’s transition from minor to junior ice hockey was smooth and he even contributed to the St. Thomas Stars of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League’s league championship victory during a brief stint with the team coached by his father.
NHL
In the NHL, Horvat’s star continued to rise during his nine-season tenure with the Vancouver Canucks where he served as captain from 2019 onwards. Known for his remarkable goal-scoring ability he matched his career-high of 31 goals in the 2022-23 season showcasing his prowess on the ice.
His journey took an unexpected turn on January 30, 2023, when he was traded to the New York Islanders in exchange for Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Räty, and a conditional first-round pick in 2023. The trade came at a time when Horvat was representing the Pacific Division in his second All-Star Game.
Upon joining the Islanders, Horvat switched to jersey number 14 as his preferred number 53 was already taken by Casey Cizikas. Shortly after, he signed a lucrative eight-year $68 million contract extension with the team solidifying his commitment to the Islanders’ future.
Bo Horvat’s impact was immediate. On February 7, he scored his first goal with the Islanders in a 4-0 victory over the Seattle Kraken. His arrival brought hope and excitement to the Islanders’ fan base as they look forward to witnessing the rising star’s continued success.
Who is Bo Horvat’s wife Holly Donaldson?
Bo Horvat the ice hockey star found love with Holly Donaldson during his junior hockey days. They got engaged on September 3, 2018, and tied the knot in July 2019 with teammates like Sven Bärtschi and friends from the OHL by their side. Their family grew with the birth of their first child Gunnar Horvat on June 28, 2020. Recently, they welcomed their second child a daughter named Tulsa on May 2, 2022, marking new milestones in their journey together.
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