Nathan Horton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nathan Horton
Horton with the Columbus Blue Jackets in February 2014
Born	(1985-05-29) May 29, 1985 (age 40) Dunnville, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	229 lb (104 kg; 16 st 5 lb)
Position	Right Wing
Shot	Right
Played for	Florida Panthers Boston Bruins Columbus Blue Jackets
NHL Draft	3rd overall, 2003 Florida Panthers
Playing career	2003–2014

Nathan Russell Horton (born May 29, 1985) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played as a right wing. During his career, Horton played for the Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins, and Columbus Blue Jackets. He was chosen third overall by the Panthers in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He won the famous Stanley Cup in 2011 with the Boston Bruins.

Horton's last game in the NHL was in April 2014. He had to stop playing because of a serious back injury. Even though he did not officially announce his retirement, the surgery needed for his back would have ended his career anyway.

Nathan Horton's Hockey Journey

Early Hockey Days

Nathan Horton grew up in Dunnville, Ontario, Canada. He started playing minor hockey with the Welland Tigers. Later, he moved to play for the Toronto Red Wings in the Greater Toronto Hockey League. When he was 13, he played for the Thorold Blackhawks Jr. B. team. Some of his teammates in Welland, like Dan Girardi and Daniel Paille, also became NHL players.

Junior Hockey Career

Horton began his junior hockey career with the Thorold Blackhawks. In one season, he scored 16 goals and had 31 assists. Before the 2001 Ontario Hockey League Draft, Horton said he would not play for the Mississauga Ice Dogs if they drafted him first. Instead, he was picked second overall by the Oshawa Generals.

As a rookie in the OHL, Horton scored 31 goals and 36 assists in 64 games. Over two seasons with Oshawa, he scored 64 goals and made 71 assists. In the 2002–03 season, Horton missed some games but still scored 33 goals and 35 assists in 54 games.

The 2003 NHL Draft

In January 2002, experts saw Horton as a top player for the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. By December, USA Today called him "an almost sure-fire top-five pick." Scouts thought Horton was a "power forward," like the famous player John LeClair. However, Horton felt he was more like faster players such as Jeremy Roenick or Peter Forsberg.

The Florida Panthers had the first pick but traded it to the Pittsburgh Penguins. In return, they got the third pick, which they used to choose Nathan Horton. Goaltender Marc-André Fleury and center Eric Staal were picked before him.

Playing for the Florida Panthers (2003–2010)

Horton signed with the Panthers on October 6, 2003. The Panthers' coach, Mike Keenan, even compared him to future Hall of Famer Mark Messier.

On October 24, Horton got his first NHL point with an assist. He scored his first NHL goal on November 1 against the San Jose Sharks. On January 9, 2004, Horton made history by becoming the first rookie to score a goal on a penalty shot. He scored against Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Jeff Hackett.

A few days later, Horton hurt his shoulder. He had a torn rotator cuff and labrum. This injury could have ended his season. He returned in March but needed surgery later. He finished his first season with 14 goals and 8 assists in 55 games.

The 2004–05 NHL season was canceled due to a lockout. Horton played for the Panthers' minor league team, the San Antonio Rampage. He scored his first goal for them in his second game. He also suffered another shoulder injury and needed surgery again. In 21 games for San Antonio, he scored five goals and had four assists.

Horton with the Florida Panthers in November 2007

For the 2005–06 season, Horton felt stronger after his injuries. He scored the first goal for the Panthers in their season opener. On December 13, Horton scored his first career hat-trick against the Nashville Predators. He said it was "a pretty nice feeling." He finished the season playing 71 games, scoring 28 goals and adding 19 assists.

Horton signed a new contract with Florida in July 2006. He scored his first goal of the 2006–07 season against the Boston Bruins. His coach briefly moved him to the fourth line to send a message. But soon, Horton was back on the first line. He scored the game-winning goal in overtime against the Tampa Bay Lightning in February. Horton's name came up in trade talks, but he stayed with the Panthers. He scored two goals against Tampa Bay in March, bringing his total against them to eight for the season. He ended the season with a career-high 31 goals and 31 assists in 82 games.

Horton signed a six-year contract with the Panthers in June 2007. He started the 2007–08 NHL season with a four-game point streak. On January 22, 2008, Horton had a career-high four assists against the Ottawa Senators. He scored two overtime goals in March, earning him the nickname "King of Overtime" from the Miami Herald. On April 5, Horton scored his 100th career goal.

Horton standing next to teammate Ville Peltonen in February 2009

Before the 2008–09 NHL season, Horton moved from playing right wing to center. He said playing center was harder because it had more responsibilities. In November, he played his 300th career game. He also suffered a deep cut in his leg from a skate. Horton returned in December after missing eight games. His name was mentioned in trade rumors again, but he remained with the Panthers. In March, he had finger surgery. Horton finished the season with 22 goals and 23 assists in 67 games.

Winning the Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins (2010–2013)

Horton with the Boston Bruins in January 2012

Nathan Horton was traded to the Boston Bruins on June 22, 2010. He had a great start with Boston, scoring seven goals and six assists in his first 12 games. He finished second on the team in goals.

During the 2011 playoffs, Horton was a hero for the Bruins. He scored game-winning goals in overtime in games five and seven against the Montreal Canadiens, helping the Bruins win the series. He also scored the only goal in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning, sending the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Finals.

In Game 3 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals, Horton was seriously injured by a hit from Vancouver Canucks player Aaron Rome. Horton suffered a severe concussion and missed the rest of the Finals. Even though he was injured, the Bruins went on to win the Stanley Cup. Horton was able to lift the Cup in Vancouver after the Bruins won Game 7.

On January 22, 2012, Horton got another concussion. This time it was from Philadelphia Flyers player Tom Sestito. Horton did not play for the rest of that season or the playoffs.

Horton returned for the 2012–13 NHL season on January 19, 2013. He finished the season with 13 goals and nine assists in 43 games. In the 2013 playoffs, Horton and the Bruins made it to the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals again. They lost in six games to the Chicago Blackhawks. During this playoff run, Horton scored seven goals and had 12 assists in 22 games.

On the day of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Horton's team said he would not re-sign with the Bruins.

Columbus Blue Jackets (2013–2014)

On July 5, 2013, Horton signed a seven-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He had shoulder surgery in the off-season, so he did not play until January 2, 2014. In his first game with the Blue Jackets, he scored the game-winning goal.

On March 10, 2014, Horton scored a goal against the Dallas Stars. Shortly after, a Dallas player collapsed on the bench, and the game was stopped. The game was restarted on April 9, 2014. Horton was injured and could not play in the restarted game. However, his goal from the original game still counted in the official statistics. This made him the only NHL player known to score in a game he did not play in.

In October 2014, Horton was diagnosed with a back injury that ended his 2014–15 season. This injury also threatened to end his career.

Toronto Maple Leafs

On February 26, 2015, Horton was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was on the long-term injured list and not expected to return. This trade helped the Maple Leafs with their team salary cap. Horton never played a game for the Leafs because he failed every physical exam before each season.

Nathan Horton's Family Life

Nathan Horton married Canadian model Tammy Plante on July 7, 2007. Tammy is the great-niece of famous NHL goaltender Jacques Plante. Nathan and Tammy have three sons together.

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

International Play

• All statistics are from NHL.com.

Awards and Honors

OHL Awards

NHL Awards

Boston Bruins Honors