The Canuck Way
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Canucks: 3 takeaways from Bo Horvat’s first year as captain

By Brayden Ursel

VANCOUVER, BC - OCTOBER 09: Vancouver Canucks captain Bo Horvat #53 prepares for a face-off while playing the Los Angeles Kings at Rogers Arena on October 9, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Ben Nelms/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - OCTOBER 09: Vancouver Canucks captain Bo Horvat #53 prepares for a face-off while playing the Los Angeles Kings at Rogers Arena on October 9, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Ben Nelms/Getty Images) /
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Bo Horvat #53 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrates a goal. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
Bo Horvat #53 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrates a goal. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /

Horvat put up career numbers

It’s almost a given at this point, but with each and every season that passes Horvat continues to climb the ranks as an offensive weapon in the National Hockey League. This year was no different. Horvat was on pace to set new career-bests in both points and assists when COVID-19 ended the Canucks’ regular season 13 games short.

As any player can, Horvat saw his production teeter back and forth in the early goings as captain. I don’t know if it was the pressure of it all, but him not scoring at home until late December must have been keeping him up at night. I’m just a fan of the game, but I know a few of his unlucky misses had me face some sleepless nights.

However, Horvat found his footing in the New Year, luckily his road warrior mentality kept him afloat statistically, and he finished the season with terrific numbers. Despite playing more of a shutdown role in the defensive end against the opposition’s best players on a nightly basis, he paced for a career-best 63 points.

His net-front presence on the man-advantage couldn’t be understated. He racked up 15 points on the power play including a team-best 11 goals, which many of them converted because of good positioning for rebounds or backdoor tap-ins. It’s clear what this guy can do when he plays with good players. Give him a full season next to Elias Pettersson and watch him hit 80 points.

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