Canucks Notebook: Bo Horvat Earns Praise as Islanders Captain, Brock Boeser Faces New Leadership Challenge

‘It’s a new chapter for our team, and as long as you’re coming to the rink every day and wanting to get better, we can have a way better year’ — Canucks winger Brock Boeser

Published Sep 14, 2026  •  Last updated 1 hour ago  •  3 minute read

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Brock Boeser tossed Bo Horvat a bouquet Monday.

Boeser, whose first full NHL season in Vancouver included 29 goals — plus 55 points and Horvat as his linemate — in 2017-18, simply smiled when he learned the former Canucks captain has assumed the same role with the New York Islanders.

“No surprise,” Boeser, 29, chuckled before participating in the Jake Milford golf tournament at Northview. “Such a great guy. Such a hard-working guy and just a pro. Comes to the rink and wants to get better every day. I’m super happy for him.”

Which, of course, brings up what could have been here if Horvat was retained and got the money on an expiring contract. He had 31 goals in 49 games when dealt to the Islanders on Jan. 31, 2023 for veteran left-winger Anthony Beauvillier, 25, prospect centre Aatu Räty, 20, plus a 2023 protected first-round pick.

Horvat logged 621 regular-season games here and collected 420 points (201-219) and his 16 points (11-5) in 23 post-season games spoke to an ability when the game is at its hardest. The Rodney, Ont. native, the ninth-overall pick in the 2013 NHL draft, became a poster boy for everything right about the Vancouver franchise.

Horvat was mentored by Henrik and Daniel Sedin to become the 14th captain in franchise history, hit the 20-goal plateau on six occasions, and was mature beyond his years to lead by example. Less than a week after the trade, he signed an eight-year, US$68 million extension — which was a prudent play.

Horvat, now 31, struck for 31, 28, and 33 goals the past three seasons and his $8.5 million in annual average value is one of the league’s best bargains as an escalating salary cap world has widely escalated salaries.

Boeser was 20 when he aligned with Horvat, 22, and Sven Baertschi, 24, to combine for 128 points (65-63) as the top line despite all three sidelined at some point by injury. Boeser played 62 games, Horvat 64 and Baertschi just 55.

More importantly, Boeser’s transition to ‘The Show’ was aided by veteran leadership in Henrik and Daniel Sedin, 36, Thomas Vanek, 33, and Derek Dorsett, 30.

“They were great to me,” recalled Boeser. “Bo learned from the Sedins and it’s just a trickle-down effect of you seeing how hard he works today. Those guys (Sedins) were so great to me when I was a rookie and super nice and led. And we have to make sure with our young guys here that we help lead.”

The Canucks are without a captain due to the trade departure of Quinn Hughes. They could name one before the season starts, or have rotating alternate captains to include key veterans and perhaps a promising young player like Zeev Buium. Filip Hronek and Boeser would merit consideration to don the ‘C’, but you get the feeling it’s more about collective leadership than just an appointed voice.

“It doesn’t matter,” Boeser said of the captaincy question. “Our leadership group is definitely in a better position by bringing in older guys. All that matters is sticking together and being role models. I just want to be a guy younger players can lean on and set an example.

“It’s important to show up early and start building that team chemistry with how young we are. We’ve done some bonding and are already a pretty tight group. It’s a new chapter for our team, and as long as you’re coming to the rink every day and wanting to get better, we can have a way better year. I just have to have the confidence that I can make plays.”

Last season really waned on Boeser. He managed 22 goals and 48 points but the minuses far outweighed positives, despite his better second half of the season.

“When you’re minus-48 on the year (league worst), it obviously hurts, and I take pride in it,” Boeser told Postmedia as last season wound down. “It’s why I get so frustrated. I want guys to really focus on what the coaches are preaching, our plan going into games, and executing.

“We make so many mistakes and they turn into a goal, and it’s every single game. That’s where some of the immaturity is in our team. But it’s part of the process and part of getting better.”

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