Bo Horvat’s move to the New York Islanders’ captaincy shifts leadership talk in Vancouver as Brock Boeser adjusts to what it means for the Canucks.
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Bo Horvat’s departure to become captain of the New York Islanders has added a new lens to leadership talk in Vancouver, where Brock Boeser is preparing for what the change means for the Canucks.
Boeser previously shared a close connection with Horvat in Vancouver, including during Boeser’s first full NHL season in 2017-18, when he recorded 29 goals and 55 points with Horvat as his linemate.
Horvat’s new role prompted Boeser to praise him as a “great guy” and a “hard-working” professional who comes to the rink “wanting to get better every day.”
The change in Vancouver comes against Horvat’s final stretch with the Canucks. After being traded on Jan. 31, 2023 to New York, Horvat scored 31 goals in 49 games. The trade involved veteran left-winger Anthony Beauvillier, prospect centre Aatu Räty, and a 2023 protected first-round pick.
Horvat played 621 regular-season games for Vancouver and recorded 420 points, with a 201-219 split. He had 16 points (11 goals, five assists) in 23 postseason games.
Horvat was mentored by Henrik and Daniel Sedin and became the 14th captain in franchise history. He reached the 20-goal plateau on six occasions and served as an example of leadership in Vancouver.
Less than a week after the trade, Horvat signed an eight-year US$68 million extension, with an average annual value of $8.5 million.
With Quinn Hughes’ departure leaving the team without a captain, the Canucks could name a captain before the season starts or rotate alternates among key veterans. Filip Hronek and Boeser were identified as potential candidates.
Boeser’s perspective on captaincy expectations is framed as “pay it forward,” tied to the veteran support that helped him when he entered the league alongside Horvat and Sven Baertschi.
Boeser played 62 games in that early stretch, Horvat played 64, and Baertschi played 55, while the top line combined for 128 points (65 goals, 63 assists) despite injuries that sidelined each player at some point.
Boeser credited help from Henrik and Daniel Sedin, along with Thomas Vanek and Derek Dorsett, describing the Sedins’ influence as a “trickle-down effect” from watching how hard they work. He said young players have a responsibility to lead by example, including showing up early and building chemistry with a youthful group.
Boeser also said it “doesn’t matter” whether he wears the captaincy designation, adding that the group needs to stick together and that he can serve as a role model.
In reference to Boeser’s most recent season, he finished with 22 goals and 48 points. His minus-48 figure was characterized as league-worst, and Boeser attributed part of his frustration to mistakes opponents turned into goals.
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