Former Vancouver Canucks captain Bo Horvat has emerged as a serious contender for a spot on Team Canada's roster for the upcoming Olympic Games. This comes despite the centre for the New York Islanders currently being sidelined with a lower-body injury.
Injury Sidelines Horvat for Canucks Reunion
The unfortunate twist for Vancouver fans is that Horvat will not be on the ice when the Islanders host the Canucks this week. Horvat suffered an awkward leg twist during a game against the Anaheim Ducks just over a week ago, forcing him to hobble to the dressing room. The Islanders have diagnosed the issue as a minor sprain, projecting a recovery timeline of up to three weeks.
Islanders head coach Patrick Roy confirmed that Horvat would miss the Vancouver matchup but left the door open for a potential return in a subsequent game against the Buffalo Sabres.
A Compelling Case for the Olympic Roster
Beyond the short-term injury news, the larger story is Horvat's positioning within Hockey Canada's plans. His combination of attributes makes him a prime candidate for a bottom-six role on the Olympic team.
His faceoff proficiency is a major asset. This season, Horvat has won 57.8 percent of his draws, placing him 16th in the entire NHL among players with at least 100 faceoffs. In a tight-checking international tournament, securing key defensive-zone faceoffs is invaluable.
Perhaps more importantly, Horvat brings a proven ability to score crucial goals—a trait Canucks fans witnessed for years. He famously carried Vancouver during the 2020 playoff bubble in Edmonton. This "clutch" gene translates to the international stage, as evidenced by his performance at last spring's IIHF World Championship. In just six games before an ankle injury, Horvat netted four goals, two of which were game-winners.
Learning from Past Roster Mistakes
Historically, Canadian Olympic team builders have sometimes erred by selecting purely defensive specialists for fourth-line roles, such as Rob Zamuner in 1998 or Kris Draper in 2006. These players offered limited offensive threat in a short tournament where every shift matters.
Horvat represents a different archetype. He provides the responsible two-way play and faceoff strength desired for a depth role, but he also possesses the legitimate scoring touch that past selections lacked. This balance makes his case particularly strong as management finalizes its roster decisions, aiming not just to replicate past successes but to identify current players in top form.
While the core of Team Canada's lineup is largely set, fierce competition remains for the final forward spots. Horvat finds himself in a mix with other capable centres like Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers, Nick Suzuki of the Montreal Canadiens, and Anthony Cirelli of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Canucks Practice Notes
In related team news, the Vancouver Canucks practiced at the Islanders' facility in East Meadow, New York. Centre Elias Pettersson, out since December 5, participated in practice but is unlikely to play in the upcoming game. Forward Aatu Raty, who had five points in five games before being scratched, remained a spare part in the session. In goal, Thatcher Demko is slated for his fourth consecutive start against the Islanders.
