Vancouver arena renamed in Bo Horvat’s name after ex-captain’s 2023 Canucks exit

The West Lorne Arena in Bo Horvat’s hometown has been renamed the Bo Horvat Community Centre, honoring the former Vancouver Canucks forward and captain.

The special ceremony took place on Saturday with Horvat and his family in attendance, marking a meaningful moment in his NHL career.

The decision to rename the arena in Horvat’s honor reflects the profound impact he made, both on and off the ice, in his community. Bo Horvat expressed gratitude and disbelief at the development, saying:

“Honestly, I couldn’t believe it.” Horvat said on hearing the news. “You like to think that you can play in the NHL. That’s your main goal. Never in a million years did I think I was going to get an arena named after me. When I heard that, there was a bunch of emotions.”

Horvat also emphasized the influence professional players can have on aspiring young hockey players in their community.

Fans react to Vancouver arena renamed in Bo Horvat’s name

Fans were left stunned when the West Lorne Arena was renamed. The move sparked a frenzy on social media, with one fan commenting:

“Congratulations Bo. You are missed in Vancouver.”

Another wrote:

“This is awesome! Well deserved. I know the surrounding areas (where I grew up) are always proud of people who make it far! He’s done a lot for the community.”

Here are some more fan reactions:

“Let me guess… the ‘Don’t go into the Corners Bo Horvat Arena’?,” one fan wrote on X.

“will honour NHLer Bo Horvat’s small-town roots,” another fan wrote.

“Congrats to NY Islanders center Bo Horvat for having his hometown rink named after him! What an honor!,” a user commented.

“”He did a lot for this organization, not only on the ice but off the ice,” another user wrote.

Horvat was selected ninth overall by the Canucks in the 2013 NHL Draft and went on to spend the first nine seasons of his career in Vancouver. As captain from 2019 to his trade to the New York Islanders in 2023, Horvat totaled 201 goals and 420 points over 621 games for the Canucks.