Bo Horvat Named to Canada’s Olympic Team
Bo Horvat is heading to Milan. As for Matthew Schaefer, he’s left waiting to see what happens.
Horvat was selected for Team Canada’s 25-member Olympic roster, a significant moment as it’s his first chance to compete on this kind of stage. Meanwhile, Schaefer seems to be on the list for injury replacements, which means his Olympic chances hinge on whether anything changes with the eight defensemen on the team before Feb. 5. However, Canada hasn’t shared the exact names of those on the waiting list.
“If I get there, it would be absolutely amazing,” Horvat expressed before the announcement. “But even if it doesn’t happen, we’ve got an incredible lineup of hockey talent in this country, so we’ll still put together a great team.”
A year ago, Horvat was somewhat of an underdog when it came to securing a spot on the Olympic squad. His journey kicked off this summer at the world championships, where he played alongside notable players like Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon. He ended that tournament with eight points over six games. Fast forward to now, and his performance this season is impressive—he’s netted 21 goals over 35 games this month, landing him ninth in the NHL for scoring. He’d occasionally watch Islanders games from the press box, as discussions about his potential call-up unfolded. It’s worth noting that he didn’t receive any prior hints about this selection, which he appreciated.
“I’m pretty grateful for that,” he shared. “I just wanted to focus on my game and contribute to our wins. Anything beyond that? Well, that’s secondary.”
Schaefer, an 18-year-old rookie, had quite a journey of his own. If Horvat was viewed as an underdog, Schaefer’s odds would have seemed nearly impossible. His outstanding play only brought him to the edge of getting noticed. Canada finalized its choice of defensemen, all of whom had played in the Four Nations and gained momentum after defeating the U.S. for the gold medal last February. Still, it remains unclear what Schaefer might have done to shift things in his favor.
Nonetheless, with over a month remaining in the regular season before NHL players make their way to Italy, there’s still a chance for Schaefer. It’s conceivable that he could find himself being called up as the ninth defenseman, should any changes arise.
