Bo Horvat agreed to an eight-year contract with the New York Islanders on Sunday. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The 27-year-old center was acquired by the Islanders in a trade with the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 30 for forwards Anthony Beauvillier and Aatu Raty, and a conditional first-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. Horvat was in the final season of a six-year, $33 million contract ($5.5 million average annual value) he signed with the Canucks on Sept. 8, 2017, and could have become an unrestricted free agent after the season.
Horvat represented the Islanders at the 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend with forward Brock Nelson and goalie Ilya Sorokin. He played for the Pacific Division and had an assist in a 6-4 loss to the Central Division in a semifinal game. His first practice with New York was Sunday, when he skated at right wing on a line with center Mathew Barzal and left wing Josh Bailey.
Horvat’s first game with the Islanders will be at the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday (7 p.m. ET; NBCSP, MSGSN2, ESPN+, SN NOW).
“Obviously, a little bit in shock and it’s kind of a been a big whirlwind for me right now and my family,” Horvat said the day of the trade. “I’ve heard lots of unbelievable things about the organization, the city and the all the players on it and nothing but respect for this organization. So, really, really looking forward to it, the family is looking forward to it and I want to help this team out as best as possible any way I can.”
Selected by Vancouver with the No. 9 pick in the 2013 NHL Draft, Horvat has 420 points (201 goals, 219 assists) in 621 regular-season games, and 16 points (11 goals, five assists) in 23 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Photo courtesy: New York Islanders
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