A change to lighter skates helped spark Bo Horvat of the London Knights.
Following an understated opening two months (27-8-8-16), the Rodney, Ontario native has really stepped it up with 20 goals in his past 30 games (30-20-18-38).
In his second year with the Knights, Horvat has made important gains in skating since the start of the campaign having opted to switch to a lighter model of skates.
His two-way play has grown steadily as the enhanced mobility has allowed him to exploit the rest of a considerable arsenal.
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Bo Horvat (C, 2013) - London
A smart, consummate team player who plays a solid and consistent two-way game .. trusted by the coaching staff and used in all situations .. excels at face-offs .. makes responsible plays, exploiting an above-average skill set .. routinely matches up against the opposition’s best players which factors in blunting his plus-minus totals .. makes clever puck decisions in close - and is a threat posting up in the slot as he packs a quick, heavy shooting release .. a growing slot presence as he shows improved timing and anticipation .. reads the play better than most and knows when to pounce into the open slot .. continues to get stronger physically which has permitted him to win an increasing majority of his board battles - not to mention a better base to hold his ground in the slot and exercise his shot .. not only possesses the good vision to distribute the puck - but is also an unselfish player by nature .. charges efficiently to the net and can put the puck on his weak side and still make a play, showcasing his overall strength - and ability to operate on all sides of his body .. can be a tyrant down low using his thick body to absorb checks, and is skilled at putting the puck in his skates to make a play .. excels sheltering the puck and then finding the open man .. would benefit from adding more of a physical dimension to his game .. will finish his checks, but doesn't really go out of his way to do so .. his speed and quickness have notably improved as he appears a tad lighter on his skates - even though he still needs to develop his agility and use his edges more effectively .. a low-maintenance player and sound draft pick whose game is somewhat comparable to that of Boone Jenner, a Columbus second-rounder last summer.