The New York Islanders have named forward Bo Horvat as the franchise’s new captain, starting in the 2026-2027 season.
The Islanders’ previous captain, Anders Lee, signed with the Utah Mammoth during the off-season, an expected move after New York failed to sign him before last season ended.
Horvat has been with the Islanders since 2023. He has been regarded as a leader and a strong presence on the team. Before coming to the island, Horvat was captain of the Vancouver Canucks from 2019 to 2023 when he was traded.
The forward scored 31 goals last season—57 points overall in 68 games in the 2025-26 campaign. Since joining the league in 2014, he has earned 618 points. He is an asset to each team he plays on.
Horvat will serve as the Islanders’ 16th captain after having an “A” last season.
“Very proud to be wearing this letter and representing not only the team, but Long Island itself.”
Read more on Bo Horvat being named the 16th Captain in New York #Isles history ⬇️https://t.co/u7ajwa3AF5
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) September 14, 2026
At the Islanders’ Golf Outing & Tennis Classic, Horvat said, “I mean, it’s amazing. Obviously, experiencing it beforehand and knowing what it felt like made it a little bit easier. But it’s still always such an honor, such a privilege. It’s something I don’t take lightly. I’m very proud to be part of this organization. I’m very proud to be wearing this letter and representing not only the team but Long Island itself, and yeah, I just can’t wait to get things going.”
Horvat also noted that he plans on leading by example, as he has been doing. He doesn’t plan to change who he is, but said that “any way [he] can help the team is what [he’s] going to try to do.”
Head coach, Pete DeBoer, said that multiple names came up in the conversation of naming a captain, including Matthew Schaefer, who had a fantastic rookie season with the club. Schaefer discussed being young still and hoping to continue learning from Horvat and the other veterans on the team.
DeBoer also alluded to including more players in the leadership group this year, naming Mat Barzal and Schaefer as possible alternate captains.
The New York Islanders season starts on September 30 in Toronto against the Maple Leafs.
