Bo Horvat named Isles' 16th captain, succeeding Anders Lee
Bo Horvat becomes the 16th captain in New York Islanders history, following Anders Lee's departure to the Utah Mammoth.
Quick answers
Who did Bo Horvat replace as captain of the Islanders?
Bo Horvat replaced Anders Lee as captain of the New York Islanders. Lee left the team after signing with the Utah Mammoth earlier this summer.
What scoring achievements has Bo Horvat accomplished with the Islanders?
Bo Horvat has excelled with the Islanders, scoring 99 goals and 198 points in 260 games. He led the team with 31 goals last season, proving vital to the lineup.
Bo Horvat named captain of the New York Islanders
The New York Islanders have officially named Bo Horvat their 16th captain in franchise history, effective for the upcoming 2026-27 NHL season. Horvat’s appointment comes after former captain Anders Lee departed the team to sign with the Utah Mammoth.
Horvat’s leadership background
This is not Bo Horvat’s first experience in a leadership role. Before joining the Islanders, he served as captain of the Vancouver Canucks for parts of four seasons. His familiarity with captaincy is expected to bolster the team’s leadership group.
Horvat takes over the captaincy from Lee, who led the Islanders since 2018. Lee moved on after signing a three-year, $16.2 million contract with the Mammoth during the off-season.
Impact on and off the ice
Since joining the Islanders in January 2023, Horvat has been a significant contributor to the team’s offense. Over his three full seasons on the team, he has averaged over 30 goals per season. In the most recent season, Horvat led the Islanders with 31 goals despite missing 14 games due to injury.
In total, in 260 games with the Islanders, he has recorded 99 goals and 198 points, making him the leading scorer since his arrival. His scoring has been integral to the team’s performance, as he topped the roster in goals and finished second overall in scoring last season.
The Islanders’ recent challenges
The Islanders have encountered difficulties in recent seasons, missing the playoffs in the last two years. Horvat’s leadership is seen as a crucial factor in the team’s quest to return to postseason contention.
In his past seasons with the Islanders, Horvat has helped the team qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs twice, although they faced first-round exits both times. Management views his captaincy as a key step toward reshaping the team’s identity and aiming for a deeper playoff run.
Career resume and future outlook
Horvat was originally drafted ninth overall by the Canucks in the 2013 NHL Draft and played nine seasons with them before his trade to the Islanders. In his NHL career, comprising 881 regular-season games, he has amassed 300 goals and 318 assists for a total of 618 points.
With Horvat at the helm, the Islanders hope to leverage his experience and skill to foster a stronger team dynamic and enhance their chances in the upcoming season.
For related context, see latest NHL injury updates and NHL trade coverage.
Reporting for this story draws on Daily Faceoff, The Hockey News, Sportsnet.
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