I think that is a BS rumour. He earned it.
- thundachunk

Not sure where I heard that, maybe Benning mentioned it?

Whenever the decisions was made to keep Horvat with the Canucks, they sure took their time getting there. If Horvat wasn't injured at the end of the preseason, I think there is a good chance he would have been sent back to jr.

On November 25th they announced he was staying with the club, 22 games into the season. Lots of opportunity to do extra work. Almost like a specialized training camp for him and easing him into the lineup.

http://www.hockeysfuture....ep-in-blueline-prospects/

Not sure where I heard that, maybe Benning mentioned it?
- VanHockeyGuy

It came right from Willies mouth I can't find the link but it wasn't management idea. Willie was interviewed about the prospect of having Horvat stay after 9 games or sending him back to juniors. His reply could have been construed as not wanting young players. He said something to the effect of being hesitant or doesn't like to play 18 year olds with men as most are not near ready to play at that level physically or mentally. I think he was being vague as I wouldn't want the media know Horvat was staying on the team before he did. He has been a coach for a long time and knows the game outside the game well.

Today's blog goes in-depth on Utica's 3-2 win over Manchester last night, with the latest updates on injuries to two key Monarchs players:

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...s-After-3-2-Win/194/69226

It would be nice if he finished up the series on fire. Maybe recoup some trade value. He's a bust though. He'll be lucky if he has a 200 game nhl career. Another example of ruining a first rounder by leaving them in jrs/minors too long. And sigh......... This is what some people want them to do to Virtanen
- I-own_da-Northwest

He left junior early to play pro in Europe. I actually think he left Junior too early. He wasnt a dominate player on his team when he left Junior... he was exactly the same hot and then invisible player that he is now.

More junior might have meant less pro minor league and then maybe NHL sooner imo.

He did, WD wanted him sent down. JB and Co thought otherwise. That's what concerns me about WD.
- VanHockeyGuy

Bah, you are speculating. What we do know is Willy was going to give him his 9 games.... and they way he played, no coach would send him down after that.

Your story is baseless.

It came right from Willies mouth I can't find the link but it wasn't management idea. Willie was interviewed about the prospect of having Horvat stay after 9 games or sending him back to juniors. His reply could have been construed as not wanting young players. He said something to the effect of being hesitant or doesn't like to play 18 year olds with men as most are not near ready to play at that level physically or mentally. I think he was being vague as I wouldn't want the media know Horvat was staying on the team before he did. He has been a coach for a long time and knows the game outside the game well.
- thundachunk

I remember that. I think he wanted young players with some pro experience.

WD stressed at the end of the season that Horvat was an exception to make the jump out of juniors to the nhl. Thought he wanted to stress, to not expect players from junior to make that jump, it is rare.

Whenever the decisions was made to keep Horvat with the Canucks, they sure took their time getting there. If Horvat wasn't injured at the end of the preseason, I think there is a good chance he would have been sent back to jr.

On November 25th they announced he was staying with the club, 22 games into the season. Lots of opportunity to do extra work. Almost like a specialized training camp for him and easing him into the lineup.

http://www.hockeysfuture....ep-in-blueline-prospects/
- hillbillydeluxe

Because of the injury, they didn't have to rush the decision. How bad would that be? Say he's staying with the club before his 9 games and while he's injured?? He looked better after injury than he did before even.... they took their time easing him in after the injury... and he really did well after that. I say they took the proper amount of time when you reflect on how it all worked out.

There are many people on here criticizing something that worked out really well. Condemning the coach for being honest about Horvat needing to prove he belongs in the line up etc... it couldn't have worked out any better and people are upset about an alternate ending that never happened.

It came right from Willies mouth I can't find the link but it wasn't management idea. Willie was interviewed about the prospect of having Horvat stay after 9 games or sending him back to juniors. His reply could have been construed as not wanting young players. He said something to the effect of being hesitant or doesn't like to play 18 year olds with men as most are not near ready to play at that level physically or mentally. I think he was being vague as I wouldn't want the media know Horvat was staying on the team before he did. He has been a coach for a long time and knows the game outside the game well.
- thundachunk

He made comments about having a 19 year old on the team etc etc but he never indicated that he wasn't going to give Horvat 9 games to show he can play in the NHL... he only commented on what that would mean about the current roster. People Like Bieksa#3 then went on rants about it... spinning it.

So what, if Horvat makes the team it makes the rest of our roster look weak.... I knew what WD meant... and it was true. Look at the playoffs.... Horvat was maybe our best player.... what does that say about our roster?

Because of the injury, they didn't have to rush the decision. How bad would that be? Say he's staying with the club before his 9 games and while he's injured?? He looked better after injury than he did before even.... they took their time easing him in after the injury... and he really did well after that. I say they took the proper amount of time when you reflect on how it all worked out.

There are many people on here criticizing something that worked out really well. Condemning the coach for being honest about Horvat needing to prove he belongs in the line up etc... it couldn't have worked out any better and people are upset about an alternate ending that never happened.

- boonerbuck

It sure worked out in the end.

Any thing I have written about WD is not to put him in any bad light in this circumstance. I just remember WD stressing it was rare for a junior player to make the jump to the nhl. Bo was an exception. WD doesn't expect exceptions.

I am glad it all worked out. More reason to watch and cheer for the young guys like him and Kenins.

Makes you wonder, if Bo didn't get hurt, would he have stuck with the big club?

When reporters were asking about Bo before it was announced he would stick, I think WD was also trying to temper expectations.

It sure worked out in the end.

Any thing I have written about WD is not to put him in any bad light in this circumstance. I just remember WD stressing it was rare for a junior player to make the jump to the nhl. Bo was an exception. WD doesn't expect exceptions.

I am glad it all worked out. More reason to watch and cheer for the young guys like him and Kenins.

Makes you wonder, if Bo didn't get hurt, would he have stuck with the big club?

When reporters were asking about Bo before it was announced he would stick, I think WD was also trying to temper expectations.
- hillbillydeluxe

Some people are not reasonable about the coaches decisions. Look how much stress media and fans put on a coach to play prospects. The coach's job is to win games. If it is so important to get kids in the line up ready or not... then it's the GM's job to make the necessary room on the roster and force the issue with the coach. People cant expect the coach to sit players who a better at the moment for a rookie... they just don't operate that way. Remove his other choices and then the rookies are in the line up sink or swim.... problem solved. This just floats over people's heads(not you).

You are right, aside from exaggerated exceptions from a couple of fans, no one expected Horvat to play this far ahead of his age with no pro exp. Can't blame the coach for it. He made the right choices when Horvat proved he was good to go. People pretend that never happened... because he didn't expect Horvat to make it prior to his 9 games means he was going to send him down regardless... and had to be intervened.... that is pure baseless speculation and doesn't even add up.