Islanders’ Bo Horvat leaves game against Mammoth with injury
Bo Horvat’s dreams of playing for Team Canada at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics may have hit a speed bump on Thursday night.
A day after being named as a surprise inclusion to Canada’s Olympic team, the New York Islanders‘ assistant captain sustained a lower-body injury in the third period of a 7-2 loss on home ice against the Utah Mammoth.
The 30-year-old was forced to leave the game in the final frame after getting tied up with Mammoth defenseman Sean Durzi in the neutral zone. Horvat awkwardly fell to the ice before quickly hobbling off the ice under his own power, but favoring his right leg.
Head coach Patrick Roy told reporters that there was no clarity on the injury post-game, but that Horvat would see a doctor on Friday.
The London, Ontario native has previously represented Canada at the IIHF World Junior and World Championships, but, like most NHL players, has never had the opportunity to play at the Olympic Games.
Better angle of Horvat’s injury
Bo Horvat was hurt on this play #Isles
Previously, he missed five games in December with a lower-body injury and returned on Sunday against the Blue Jackets. It was not instantly clear whether Thursday’s incident was the same injury.
This season, he has 21 goals and 12 assists in 35 games and is expected to play a significant penalty-killing role with Team Canada under head coach Jon Cooper.
No update was immediately available following his injury.
“I wanted it bad,” Horvat said Wednesday after earning the Team Canada Olympic call. “I wanted to represent my country. I wanted to wear the maple leaf, and I was just trying to do whatever I could to one, help the Islanders win, but also just to make it hard on [Hockey Canada] and make their decision tough.”
As part of Wednesday’s Canadian roster unveiling, general manager Doug Armstrong indicated that several players are still under consideration to join the team as injury replacements if needed. However, those players will have to continue with Olympic and World Anti-Doping Agency substance testing to remain eligible.
Sitting second in the Metropolitan Division after Thursday’s loss, the Islanders will look to bounce back on Saturday when they welcome former captain John Tavares and the Toronto Maple Leafs to UBS Arena.
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