Bowie William “Bo” Horvat, born on April 5, 1995, in London, Ontario, is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and alternate captain for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL).
The left-handed shooter has established himself as a reliable two-way forward known for his face-off skills, leadership, and scoring ability.
Raised in Rodney, Ontario, Horvat grew up in a hockey-oriented family and has become one of the more consistent performers in the league across his career with the Vancouver Canucks and Islanders.
Siblings
Bo has one younger brother, Cal Horvat, who also pursued hockey seriously during his youth.
The brothers frequently practiced together in the family basement, fostering a competitive environment from an early age.
Cal played for the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs and had a stint with the London Knights in the OHL before transitioning to a career as a police officer in Ontario.
Their father, Tim Horvat, a former hockey player who suited up for the London Knights, heavily influenced both sons.
Career
Horvat excelled in minor hockey with the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs, where he was named league player of the year.
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He was selected ninth overall by the London Knights in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection and quickly made an impact.
In his rookie OHL season, he contributed to a J. Ross Robertson Cup championship.
The following year, he led the playoffs in scoring, earning the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as playoff MVP while winning another OHL title.
The Vancouver Canucks drafted him ninth overall in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
After one more strong junior season, he made his NHL debut in 2014-15 and gradually developed into a top-line centre.
He served as an alternate captain before being named the 14th captain in Canucks franchise history in 2019.
In January 2023, Vancouver traded him to the New York Islanders, where he signed an eight-year contract extension and has continued as a key centre and leader.
Internationally, Horvat has represented Canada at various levels, including World Juniors, World Championships, and the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Known for his durability, strong defensive play, and clutch performances, Horvat has played in over 880 NHL games, consistently contributing 50+ points in multiple seasons while anchoring his teams’ centres.
Accolades
In the OHL, Horvat won two J. Ross Robertson Cups (2012, 2013) and the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as playoff MVP in 2013.
At the 2013 Memorial Cup, he earned the George Parsons Trophy as the most sportsmanlike player.
In the NHL, he has been selected to two All-Star Games (2017 and 2023).
With the Canucks, he received the Cyrus H. McLean Trophy (leading scorer) and Cyclone Taylor Trophy (MVP) honors, along with the Pavel Bure Most Exciting Player Award on multiple occasions.
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