New York Islanders center Bo Horvat. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Bo Horvat walks back verbal jab at former team, fans

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 4/10/23

Although Bo Horvat spent a little over eight and a half seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, that didn’t stop the star forward from throwing shade at his former team over the weekend.

The New York Islanders center ruffled some feathers when he said the atmosphere at UBS Arena and Islanders fans were “a lot better than Vancouver” following New York’s 4-0 home win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Now, the 28-year-old center is backtracking a bit, stating his comments come off more harsh than he intended.

Bo Horvat on #Islesnation and playing at UBS Arena pic.twitter.com/thCi6q7OxC
— Isles on MSGSN (@IslesMSGN) April 9, 2023

“I didn’t mean any disrespect to the fans of Vancouver, the teammates or city of Vancouver at all,” Horvat told reporters after Monday’s morning skate, via Kevin Kurz of The Athletic.

“It wasn’t directed at them at all. (Islanders) fans were all excited, and I was excited to be in a playoff push and it was just kind of one of those things where my emotions got the best of me, and I was just really happy to be there.”

Horvat was traded from the Canucks to the Islanders at the end of January for 25-year-old forward Anthony Beauvillier, 20-year-old center prospect Aatu Raty and a top-12 protected first-round pick in 2023. The Islanders promptly signed Horvat to an eight-year, $68 million contract extension.

During his Canucks tenure, Horvat totaled 201 goals, 420 points and averaged 18:32 of ice time in 621 games. He played in the Stanley Cup Playoffs just twice during that span. Since the trade, Horvat scored seven goals and 15 points in 28 games. His 38 combined goals and 69 combined points this season are new career highs.

The Islanders (41-30-9) and Florida Panthers hold the final two wild card spots in the Eastern Conference. Both teams have 91 points and hold a slim lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins (90 points). New York has two regular season games remaining — Monday against the Washington Capitals and Wednesday against the Montreal Canadiens.

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