Islanders Bo Horvat To Play In Vancouver For Just Second Time Since Trade: 'It's Still Nerve-Wracking'

VANCOUVER -- When New York Islanders forward Bo Horvat returned to Vancouver last year for the first time since being traded, it was an emotional night:

In what was a 4-3 overtime loss, Horvat did light the lamp against his former team, scoring a one-time goal against his former nemtinder Thatcher Demko after a back-and-forth feed with Mathew Barzal.

That goal gave the Islanders a 3-1 lead but they failed to hold on to the lead:

On Thursday, Horvat is back on Rogers Arena ice for the second time as a visitor.

“It's still nerve-wracking," Horvat said following Thursday's morning skate. "It's definitely different, but to come back and see the guys again and see everybody, some familiar faces -- the team's changed a lot since I've been here -- it's fun to be back talking.”

As we were walking into the Vancouver locker room before the Islanders hit the ice, Horvat was chatting with Brock Boeser.

“Brock's the longest-standing Canuck right now, which is crazy," Horvat said. "I still remember when he came in, and we were roommates and stuff like that. He has performed really well, too, in the last couple of years.

"His whole career has been great. I still keep in touch with a lot of those guys, for sure. We're still really tight, really close, and we had such a tight-knit group there, too. So it's great to see everybody.”

Since leaving Vancouver, Horvat has 45 goals and 51 assists for 96 points in 127 games.

Although the way things ended in Vancouver wasn't too peachy, Horvat loves the fan base and thinks it is special to still see No. 53 Horvat sweaters around the rink.

“Obviously, it's nice to see. The fans were so great to me here, and they gave me so much support," Horvat said. "It's nice to see that there's still Horvat Canuck jerseys out there. They appreciated everything I did and it's great.

"Sometimes I forget to sign the 53 instead of the 14 sometimes. So, sorry if I did that to you whoever is out there. It's just great to be back and feel that supporting them, for sure”

This season, Horvat, now donning an "A" with the Islanders, has 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 16 games. He is currently without his two wingers, Mathew Barzal and Anthony Duclair, who are both on long-term injured reserve.

With his linemates out, he's lead on and off the ice, showcasing strong chemistry with Anders Lee and Jean-Gabriel Pageau as his wingers.

In three career games against Vancouver, Horvat has two goals and an assist, scoring a goal in his return last season.