Bo Horvat’s big week took a rough turn Thursday afternoon.
Just one day after being named to Team Canada’s Olympic roster for the Milan Games, Horvat was forced to leave the Islanders’ game against the Utah Mammoth in the third period after an awkward collision with defenseman Sean Durzi. The veteran center didn’t return, and the early concern is a lower-body injury.
The timing couldn’t be worse. Horvat has been playing strong hockey and was clearly riding high after receiving the Olympic nod, making the sudden exit all the more deflating—for him and for the Islanders.
After the game, head coach Patrick Roy offered a brief update, confirming that Horvat will see a doctor on Friday. Once further testing is completed, there will be more clarity on how much time he’ll miss. Roy wouldn’t speculate on severity.
Hopefully, This Doesn’t Impact Horvat’s Olympic Involvement
For now, it’s very much a wait-and-see situation. The play itself didn’t look great, and anytime a player leaves late in a game without returning, there’s a worry that it’s serious until it isn’t. The best news would be that this ends up being a precautionary move to keep him out, rather than a long-term injury that will force him to miss the Olympics.
If he is out, Sam Bennett is likely to be the first person called as a possible replacement.
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