One year ago today, the Vancouver Canucks made a huge trade, trading captain Bo Horvat to the New York Islanders for Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Raty and a 2023 first-round draft pick, now defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka.
Now established on Long Island, the ninth overall pick in the 2013 draft feels right at home.
“Everything is fine,” assured the center player whose comments were reported by nhl.com. The family is doing well, we love Long Island. This is a first class organization. They treat us like kings, whether in the arena or outside.”
Although he says he feels comfortable now, that wasn’t exactly the case when he arrived. His concerns, particularly related to his family’s move, were felt in his performances on the ice.
“It’s been difficult for my family and me,” said the 28-year-old. I’m not trying to make excuses, but it hasn’t been easy.”
Significant presence
This season, Horvat ranks third in scoring on his New York team with 20 goals and 45 points in 48 games, only ahead of defenseman Noah Dobson and forward Matthew Barzal.
This harvest is intended to be much closer to what he had amassed at the start of last season in Vancouver, i.e. 54 points in 49 games, compared to his meager 16 points in 30 outings when he arrived in New York.
According to Barzal, there is no doubt that the arrival of the Ontarian has had a positive impact as much through his relentlessness on the ice as his personality off it.
“He’s a very good guy in the locker room,” said number 13. “Sometimes when a player arrives, you don’t always know what it’s going to be like. But he’s exactly what we needed.”
Currently on leave for the All-Star weekend, the Islanders are five points behind the last position giving access to the playoffs in the East. When action resumes, they will face the Maple Leafs next Monday in Toronto.
2024-01-30 17:44:17
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