Nathan Horton hopes for the best with the Boston Bruins
When the 2010-11 National Hockey League season opens for business in October, several players will have switched teams, whether by signing new contracts or being traded. For some of these
players, playing with a new team will allow for a fresh start, and the opportunity to gel with a new group, with the hopes of taking a sip from Lord Stanley’s chalice later on.
One of the many players who is hoping for a fresh start with his new team is right-winger Nathan Horton of the Boston Bruins. Horton, who had played his entire career with the Florida
Panthers, was traded to Boston on 22 June 2010 with Gregory Campbell for defenceman Dennis Wideman and the Bruins’ first-round pick in the 2010 NHL draft.
Horton is aware of what awaits him in Beantown, and is ready to accept the challenges that he may eventually face over there.
“It's going to be different, but it's going to be a lot of fun,” the 25-year-old Horton said about playing for Boston. “There's pressure to perform, and I think that's what any player
wants.”
The 6ft 2in right-winger was Florida’s first-round pick (third overall) at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut during the 2005-06 season. One of the highlights of Horton’s
rookie season was his first career hat trick, which he scored against the Nashville Predators on 13 December 2005. He ended the season with totals of 28 goals and 19 assists for 47 total points in 71 games.
During the 2006-07 season, Horton’s name was mentioned in trade talks, as it was reported that was not happy in Florida. However, despite the trade rumours that were swirling, Horton turned
in a productive campaign, scoring 31 goals and assists for 62 points in 82 games.
Horton later quashed all of the trade rumours by signing a six-year contract with the Panthers that was valued at $24 million. The 2007-08 season saw Horton earn the nickname “The King
of Overtime” from the Florida media for his ability to score clutch goals in overtime that won many games for the Cats. The native of Welland, Ontario reached another career milestone on 5 April 2008, when he scored the 100th goal of his career.
The 2008-09 season saw Horton move from his natural right-wing position to centre, a move that was made by Panthers head coach Peter DeBoer. On 1 November 2008, Horton played the 300th
game of his career against the Nashville Predators, but failed to get his name on the score sheet. A report surfaced in December of that year stating that Horton was not happy playing in Florida, and that the Panthers were looking to possibly trade him again.
Another rumour stated that Horton would be traded to the Chicago Blackhawks, but that never came to fruition. Horton would go on to score 45 points (22G, 23A) in 67 games that season.
In 2009-10, Horton put up 20 goals and 37 points for 57 points in 65 games. In the offseason, he was traded to Boston, where he hopes to contribute more on offense and help the team make
the playoffs again. Last season, the Bruins fell to the Flyers in seven games during the first round, after giving up a 3-0 lead in the series.
Horton, however, maintains an optimistic outlook of his new surroundings.
“You look around and I think there's obviously going to be high expectations on everyone,” Horton said of his new club. “It's a great team, a great bunch of guys and a lot of good hockey
players. I think it's great to have high expectations and I think it's going to be a fun year.”
The Bruins’ season begins on 9 October, where they will square off against the Phoenix Coyotes in a two-game series that will be played overseas in Prague, Czech Republic.
“I can't wait to get over there (Prague) and get the season going,” Horton said. “But I'm not going to lie – my goal is to help this team to the playoffs and battle for the Stanley Cup.
That's why you play the game and I can't wait for that.”
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