“It’s going to be weird” – Bo Horvat “excited” for LAST play with Elias Pettersson at 2023 NHL All-Star Weekend
Bo Horvat will be joining his teammate Elias Pettersson for the NHL All-Star Week, and this may very well be their last unless both teams decide to join forces for some reason.
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Bo Horvat and Elias Pettersson [Image Credit: The Canucks Way]
New York Islanders forward Bo Horvat said that he’s still adjusting to the idea of being traded. After his 2013 NHL Draft by the Vancouver Canucks, he’s never been traded. He became the team captain in 2019 and spoke on how he thought he’ll be a Canucks forever.
Now there’s a totally new scenario and in the starting NHL All-Star week he’ll don his Islanders jersey and participate in the Skills Competition on Friday while changing his outfit and representing the Pacific Division later.
On Thursday, Horvat said, “It’s going to be weird, I’m not going to li,”. “I’m excited for it, but it’s going to be different to see a different jersey, different number. Putting it on for the first time is going to be a cool experience and then flipping over and playing for the Pacific the next day, it’s going to be different, but I’m really looking forward to it.”
Bo Horvat chooses No. 14 as Islanders, goodbye to No. 53
![Bo Horvat [Image Credit: Practice - NHL]](https://firstsportz.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/IMG_COM_20230203_1909_57_7372-1024x768.jpg)
Following Bo Horvat’s trade the Canucks are arming up for the 2nd Wild Card spot at the Western Conference, trailing 14 points behind the reigning Stanley Cup Champions the Colorado Avanalnche. The trade was a huge shock not only for the fans but also for Horvat himself.
He is used to wearing No. 53 in Canucks but unfortunately, the number is already taken by the Islanders’ Casey Cizikas. After discussions with his wife, he picked the number 14, “The best way I can describe it is 4-plus-1 is 5, and 4-minus-1 is 3”. “So, that’s what I’m going with.”
It’ll be an emotional weekend for Horvat as it’ll also maybe his last time playing with a former teammate of 5 seasons Elias Pettersson. “It’s going to be fun and weird and awesome at the same time”. “I don’t really know how to approach it or how to talk about it, but I’m excited for it.”
Horvat commented he’s excited to skate with him on the same team “for the last time”. Unless the Islanders and Canucks decide to join the team during their careers, it’ll be impossible to play together again.
Pettersson said, “He’ll be the same player as he’s been for us”. “Just hard work.” Pettersson praising Horvat said that this year the ex-captain proved that, “he showed he can score goals from anywhere.”
On being traded to the Islanders, Horvat described his feeling, “I’m so nervous. Really, I am”. He went on to say that though it’s a city he’s not familiar with, he has heard a ton of good things about it.
Horvat as much as nervous is excited to turn a new leaf with the Islanders, “I’m not going to lie. I’ve never been traded before. This is different for me, but I’m really excited about it.”
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