Bo Horvat staying with Canucks, will skip World Juniors
Bo won't go.
Canucks GM Jim Benning confirmed on Monday that the club will not release Bo Horvat to play for Team Canada at the 2015 World Junior Championship.
“Bo Horvat has proven he can contribute to the success of the Vancouver Canucks,” said Benning in a statement. “He is a solid two-way player, strong in the face-off circle and displays a maturity beyond his years. We’re very pleased with Bo’s play and look forward to watching him develop as an NHL player.”
Canada wasn't necessarily counting on the 19-year-old center to be made available for his second go-round at the tournament, but they were hoping the Canucks might make him available to provide a heavy body and a solid 200-foot game. Horvat represented Canada at the 2014 World Junior Championship, recording three points in seven games, but this was the year that the team was counting on a significant contribution from him.
Curtis Lazar of the Senators is the only NHL player whose situation has yet to be resolved. There's speculation that Ottawa is leaving the decision up to the forward and that he'll likely choose to remain with the Sens.
The Rangers released forward Anthony Duclair to Team Canada last week.
Canada currently has 15 forwards in camp and needs to get down to 13 by Dec. 19.