Nathan Horton

Lore & Background

Horton grew up in Dunnville, Ontario, playing minor hockey with the Welland Tigers and later the Toronto Red Wings before joining the Thorold Blackhawks Jr. B. club at age 13. He played junior hockey for the Oshawa Generals after being selected second overall in the 2001 OHL Draft. In two OHL seasons, he scored 64 goals and recorded 71 assists. Horton was regarded as a top prospect for the 2003 NHL entry draft, with scouts likening him to power forward John LeClair, though Horton saw himself as more like Jeremy Roenick or Peter Forsberg. The Florida Panthers traded the first overall pick to Pittsburgh to select Horton third overall. He signed with the Panthers in October 2003 and recorded his first career goal on November 1 against the San Jose Sharks. On January 9, 2004, he became the first rookie in NHL history to score on a penalty shot. Horton's career was cut short by a back injury; his last NHL game came in April 2014, and the surgery required would have ended his career regardless.

Reader's Guide

Nathan Horton's career is notable for his early promise as a top draft pick and his role in the Boston Bruins' 2011 Stanley Cup victory. Drafted third overall by the Panthers in 2003, he was considered a top prospect and drew comparisons to power forwards like John LeClair. Horton's rookie season included a historic penalty-shot goal, the first by a rookie in NHL history. After six seasons with Florida, he joined the Bruins and helped them win the Stanley Cup in 2011. His playing career ended prematurely due to a back injury; his last NHL game was in April 2014, and the necessary surgery would have ended his career regardless. Horton's legacy includes his physical style of play and his contributions to a championship team, though his career was shorter than anticipated due to injury.

Did You Know?

• Horton was the first rookie in NHL history to score on a penalty shot, doing so on January 9, 2004.
• He was drafted second overall in the 2001 OHL Draft by the Oshawa Generals after stating he would not report to the Mississauga Ice Dogs if selected first.
• Horton played minor hockey with future NHLers Dan Girardi, Daniel Paille, and Andre Deveaux.
• He won the Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins in 2011.