Veteran Bo Horvat is now continuing his career with the New York Islanders, who acquired him in a trade from the Vancouver Canucks in January, but he is keeping an eye on developments from his former organization.
After serving as captain in British Columbia for four years, the 28-year-old hockey player knows full well that defenseman Quinn Hughes will succeed him as the bearer of the letter “C” starting this season. With his appointment on Monday, Horvat predicts that he will be able to lead his teammates appropriately when the time comes.
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“I really saw development in him. He is more mature and older: I have seen him develop in the four years I spent with him and could already see that he is developing the qualities of a captain. He is passionate and wants to win. I think that’s his biggest advantage: he’s competitive and hates losing. These are things you want to see in your captain. However, he is also respectful. He doesn’t belittle anyone. If something happens on the ice, he is to blame,” the forward told Sportsnet on Tuesday.
“There are so many good people on this team and the choice didn’t matter. However, if I had to pick one player it would have been Hughsie. You really made the right choice,” he said.
A model student
In fact, Hughes knew what was going on when he contacted Horvat during the summer season about the captaincy and the challenges that came with it. He resurfaced last weekend after Canucks management offered him the role.
“He asked questions hoping to get feedback about what it was. I respect that he called me to let me know it was going to happen. But I wasn’t surprised. He is an incredible young man who is growing into a man. He already is. He deserves this position because he gives his best every night. He’s a great hockey player and a good person in the locker room. He has all the qualities required and I couldn’t be happier for him,” he said.
According to the Islanders color bearer, the key to success for the Canucks guard is simple.
“I told him to just be himself. There’s a reason he’s captain now, he said. This is the advice that Hank [Henrik Sedin, le prédécesseur d’Horvat] betrayed me and it is the most important thing I can give. “Enjoy it, you are the captain of a Canadian National League team that has a group of fans who love to see you win games. Sure, they’ll take tough action against you if you lose.”