Bo Horvat is A born leader, his No. 1 fan says
Centre ready for Canucks’ captaincy after getting mentorship from Sedins
Yes. No. Maybe so.
Like a pendulum, the Vancouver Canucks’ captaincy question is either a pressing concern or a non-issue. Whether it’s Bo Horvat who supplants the retired Henrik Sedin or three alternates, nobody navel gazes better than this NHL franchise.
This is all you really need to know about Bo.
Tim Horvat is the centre’s father, occasional off-season coach, postgame confidant and unabashed backer. He not only knows where the first-liner is headed mentally and physically in his fifth season, he believes off-season dedication to improving his finish and fitness is going to turn heads and increase his goal total.
It’s further proof the 23-year-old might be the right captain at the right time because he can relate to younger players and has earned the respect of veterans.
“He would love to be the captain and he’s good with any decision they make,” said Tim. “To me, a true captain is what happens when you’re not there. Does the team suffer or do well? And your captain has to be your most consistent player.
“People always say there’s too much pressure on Bo. He’s too young. The Sedins are gone. Being traded for Cory Schneider — that’s pressure. He had it even before he hit the ice and that pushes him. Who’s the true leader in that room? I’m a dad, but I know. Last year, Bo was gone 18 games (Dec. 5 ankle fracture) and they were in a playoff spot before that kid got hurt.
“I told him to go about his business. He can’t worry about the ‘C’ or the ‘A’. He knows that. And I never worry about him because all he wants to do is win.”
The Canucks won only four games during Bo’s injury absence — he returned Jan. 21 — but there were other factors.
Brandon Sutter missed 21 games with a groin injury and didn’t return until Jan. 15, while Sven Baertschi missed 11 games with a fractured jaw and didn’t come back until Jan. 7.
Through all that, Horvat still finished with a career-high 22 goals in just 64 games. A world hockey championship experience in the spring, a greater emphasis on overall conditioning and a wedding engagement this summer have the centre in a good place.
In his mind, Bo is ready for a bigger leadership role because of the master class in mentorship he received from Henrik and Daniel Sedin. But he also knows what else may be at play.
“Any time you’re even in the (captaincy) conversation, it’s humbling,” Horvat said Wednesday at the annual Jake Milford charity golf tournament. “If the opportunity comes, I’ll embrace it and be the best leader I can be.
“But there are 10 guys you can give the ‘C’ to, great role models on the team and in the community. No matter what happens we’ll be in it together. I’m sick of losing and I want us to be in playoff contention.”
That almost sounds like he expects the club to go without a captain and appoint three alternates. That would provide insulation because a young captain could be constantly beat down in tedious post-game scrums to rationalize loss after loss.
However, dig deeper and Horvat finds a way to drive home his point of wanting to be the emotional and skilled engine to drive it all.
“It (captaincy) is important, but it’s not everything,” he added. “Eventually, it is important for somebody to take the reins and be the guy that everybody looks up to. It’s waiting for that one guy to separate himself from the pack and be the guy players go to in times of crisis. And when things are going well, who’s leading the charge? The Sedins handled it with the utmost class. Some games, you play so bad, you just want to walk out and go home, but they stick around. It was pretty impressive to watch. It all comes back to respect.”
Part of that respect is the work any player is willing to do in the off-season.
Bo is down to 214 pounds from his customary 222 to gain quickness, but that was only part of the focus. He has never had a problem getting to the net, but improving on a 13.9 per cent shooting efficiency means having more than one move on those bull-rushes.
“I skated him the last three weeks and he really worked on his hands,” added Tim.
“When he comes in on the goalie, maybe do some more head fakes because when you watch Bo on breakaways, he always goes stick side.
“Sometimes, you have to change it up. Do a deke but make sure you hit the net. I can be hard on Bo, but I’ve learned instead of just saying: ‘Do it this way ’ I’m more open and I listen to his point of view.’”
Bo laughed at that summation. Tim is who he is. That’s not going to change.
“I’m playing at the highest level and he’s still trying to tell me how to play the game,” Bo said with a chuckle. “He has been like that ever since I could skate.
“He pushes me hard and is yelling and always finding ways to make me a better player and person. I owe him a lot.”
Especially when Bo becomes the captain — sooner or later.
If the opportunity comes, I’ll embrace it and be the best leader I can be.