Bo Horvat Bio
Bowie William Horvat (born April 5, 1995) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who serves as alternate captain for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). The London, Ontario native was selected ninth overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2013 NHL entry draft and spent nine seasons with the franchise, including four years as team captain from 2019 to 2023. Horvat was traded to the Islanders in January 2023 and signed an eight-year contract extension worth $68 million shortly thereafter. Known as a two-way centre with strong offensive instincts, Horvat has represented Canada internationally at multiple youth and senior tournaments throughout his career.
Early Life and Background
Horvat was born on April 5, 1995, in London, Ontario, to Tim and Cindy Horvat. He grew up in Rodney, Ontario, located approximately 90 minutes from Detroit, Michigan. Horvat and his younger brother Cal spent much of their childhood practising hockey in the family basement. He attended numerous Detroit Red Wings games as a child and developed a passion for the sport at an early age. At age 12, Horvat moved away from home to live with a billet family and play for the Toronto Red Wings minor ice hockey team.
During the 2008 All-Toronto Peewee AAA hockey tournament, Horvat helped the Red Wings defeat the London Jr. Knights, scoring 10 goals and leading the team with 16 points in the round-robin portion of the tournament. In the 2010–11 minor hockey season, he played for the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs of the Alliance Hockey organization, where he recorded 47 goals and 71 assists for 118 points in 68 games and was named league player of the year. Following his Chiefs season, Horvat also appeared in five games with the St. Thomas Stars of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, a team coached by his father Tim, helping them win their league championship.
Path to Professional Hockey
Horvat was selected ninth overall by the London Knights in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection draft. Joining the Knights for the 2011–12 season, he scored his first OHL goal in his league debut on September 23, 2011, an 8–0 win over the Saginaw Spirit. During his rookie year, Horvat recorded 11 goals and 19 assists through 64 regular season games with a plus-27 rating. The Knights captured the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champions that season and advanced to the 2012 Memorial Cup finals, where they were defeated by the Shawinigan Cataractes.
The following season, Horvat improved to 33 goals and 61 points in 67 games, including a 17-game point streak. He led the OHL playoffs with 16 goals and 23 points in 21 postseason games, capping his performance with the game-winning goal with just 0.1 seconds remaining in Game 7 of the OHL finals against the Barrie Colts. For his outstanding playoff performance, Horvat received the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as the most valuable player in the OHL playoffs. Although the Knights fell short in the Memorial Cup semifinals, Horvat earned the George Parsons Trophy as the most sportsmanlike player at the tournament. The NHL Central Scouting Bureau ranked him the 15th-most valuable North American prospect heading into the 2013 NHL draft.
Bo Horvat Career
Vancouver Canucks (2014–2023)
Horvat signed his entry-level contract with the Canucks on August 6, 2013, but spent one more season developing with the London Knights before turning professional. After competing for an NHL roster spot at training camp in 2014, he suffered a shoulder injury during a pre-season game and began his professional career on a conditioning assignment with the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (AHL). He made his NHL debut on November 4, 2014, against the Colorado Avalanche and scored his first NHL goal six games later on November 20 against Frederik Andersen of the Anaheim Ducks.
Horvat established himself as a consistent two-way forward during his early seasons with Vancouver. In the 2016–17 season, he was named to his first NHL All-Star Game after recording 13 goals and 16 assists through mid-season. He was also named one of the Canucks’ second alternate captains that March. Horvat set career highs with 20 goals, 32 assists, and 52 points while playing all 82 games. On September 8, 2017, he signed a six-year, $33 million contract extension worth $5.5 million annually. Despite missing 18 games due to a broken foot suffered in December 2017, he managed 22 goals and 22 assists for 44 points in 64 games.
Captaincy and Canucks Tenure (2019–2023)
On October 9, 2019, Horvat was named the 14th captain in Canucks franchise history during a pre-game ceremony for the home opener of the team’s 50th season. Eight days later, he scored his 100th career goal against the New York Rangers, and two days after that, he recorded his first career hat trick in a comeback victory over the Detroit Red Wings. During the 2019–20 season, Horvat helped the Canucks qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2015. As team captain, he recorded 10 goals and two assists for 12 points in 17 playoff games, ranking third all-time among Canucks for most goals scored in a single playoff year.
Horvat continued to anchor Vancouver’s forward group in subsequent seasons, consistently ranking among the team’s top scorers. On January 30, 2023, his nine-season tenure with the Canucks ended when he was traded to the New York Islanders in exchange for Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Räty, and a conditional first-round draft pick. At the time of the trade, Horvat was in the midst of a career-best goal-scoring season, having already matched his previous career high of 31 goals through just 49 games. He was also named to his second All-Star Game that season.
New York Islanders (2023–Present)
Upon joining the Islanders, Horvat switched from jersey number 53 to number 14, as 53 was already worn by Casey Cizikas. On February 5, 2023, he signed an eight-year, $68 million contract extension with the Islanders worth $8.5 million annually. He scored his first goal with his new team on February 7, 2024, in a 4–0 win over the Seattle Kraken. Horvat has continued to serve as a key two-way centre for the Islanders, providing leadership and offensive production from the middle of the ice.
Playing Style and Strengths
Horvat is known as a complete two-way centre who excels in all three zones of the ice. He possesses strong face-off skills, which have earned him recognition throughout his career, including coaches’ awards in the OHL as the best face-off skater. His ability to play effectively in both offensive and defensive situations has made him a reliable option in all game circumstances. Horvat combines sound defensive positioning with dangerous offensive instincts, allowing him to contribute consistently at both ends of the rink.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Horvat has accumulated several significant milestones. Winning the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award in 2013 marked his emergence as a clutch performer in high-pressure situations, a trait that has defined his professional career. His dramatic game-winning goal with 0.1 seconds left in the 2013 OHL finals remains one of the most memorable moments of his junior career. In the NHL, his 100th career goal and first career hat trick within days of being named captain highlighted his ability to deliver in milestone moments.
Bo Horvat Career Wins
Horvat has compiled an impressive collection of championship victories and individual accolades throughout his junior and professional career. His major titles came during his time with the London Knights, while his NHL career has been highlighted by All-Star selections and consistent offensive production.
Junior Hockey Highlights
During his three seasons with the London Knights, Horvat won two J. Ross Robertson Cup titles as OHL champions in 2012 and 2013. In 2013, he was awarded the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as playoff MVP after leading the league with 16 goals and 23 points in 21 postseason games. He also received the George Parsons Trophy as the most sportsmanlike player at the 2013 Memorial Cup tournament.
Professional Highlights
In the NHL, Horvat has been selected to two All-Star Games, earning the honour in 2017 and 2023. He has consistently reached the 20-goal plateau throughout his career and set career highs with 31 goals in the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons. His 10 playoff goals during the Canucks’ 2020 postseason run ranked third all-time among franchise players for a single playoff year.
International Achievements
Horvat has represented Canada at multiple international tournaments. He won a gold medal at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and captured bronze at the 2012 World U-17 Hockey Challenge while serving as captain of Team Ontario. His international career includes appearances at the 2014 World Junior Championships, 2018 World Championship, and he was named to Canada’s roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Bo Horvat Family
Family Background
Horvat comes from a hockey family with strong ties to the sport. His father, Tim Horvat, coached the St. Thomas Stars during Bo’s time with the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs and has been a formative influence on his career. Horvat is second cousins with NHL forward Travis Konecny of the Philadelphia Flyers. While the two did not play minor hockey together due to their age difference, they have faced each other regularly throughout their junior and professional careers. Horvat’s younger brother Cal also played for the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs and London Knights before pursuing a career in law enforcement in Ontario.
Personal Life
Horvat married Holly Donaldson, a professional equestrian and curler, in July 2019. The couple met during Horvat’s junior hockey career when Donaldson was attending the University of Western Ontario. Horvat proposed on September 3, 2018. Several of Horvat’s teammates and former teammates, including Sven Bärtschi, Max Domi, Josh Anderson, and Chris Tierney, served as groomsmen at the wedding. The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Gunnar, on June 28, 2020, shortly before Horvat reported to Vancouver’s playoff training camp. Horvat chose jersey number 53 as a tribute to former London Knights teammate Ian Jenkins, who wore number 35 and died in an automobile accident in May 2011.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2024–25 NHL season, Horvat continues to serve as a key veteran presence for the New York Islanders. As alternate captain, he provides a blend of experience and offensive ability down the middle of the ice. The Islanders have relied on his two-way play and leadership to help guide a group mixing established veterans with emerging young talent. Horvat’s consistent goal-scoring touch and face-off prowess make him a reliable option in all game situations, from even strength to the power play and penalty kill.
His contract runs through the 2030–31 season, providing the Islanders with long-term stability at the centre position. Horvat’s performance in 2025 reflects his evolution from a promising young prospect selected ninth overall in 2013 to a seasoned NHL veteran who has captained a franchise and achieved All-Star recognition twice. The Islanders look to Horvat for consistent offensive production and defensive responsibility as they compete for positioning in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.