Hard work key to Horvat’s success
By Tony Saxon, Guelph Mercury – It was Bill Stewart, the Guelph Storm assistant coach and de facto giver of nicknames, who dubbed forward Ryan Horvat “Bronco.”
While one might assume the teenaged player might have little knowledge it was a reference to former 1950s NHLer Bronco Horvath, such is not the case.
“It’s actually my middle name, so I know who it is,” Horvat said Thursday at the West End Community Centre.
Bumped to the ’burbs for practice due to Thursday night’s Hedley concert at the Sleeman Centre, the Storm was preparing to host the Kingston Frontenacs Friday night. With nine games left in the regular season, the Storm sits tied for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Horvat, 19, has been one of the Storm’s feel-good stories this season.
After failing to stick with the team his first two attempts, he came to training camp last fall as an underdog to make the roster.
“I thought they were going to give me a fair chance,” said Horvat, who played 13 games over his first two seasons after being drafted by Guelph. “I worked hard all summer and gave them everything I got. If it wasn’t good enough, then that’s it, but I made sure I put the effort in and it paid off.”
