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 for the Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins, and Columbus Blue Jackets. The Panthers picked him third overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Nathan won the famous Stanley Cup in 2011 with the Boston Bruins.

His last NHL game was in April 2014. He had a serious back injury. Even though he didn't officially retire, his injury meant he couldn't play anymore.

Nathan Horton's Hockey Journey

Early Years in Hockey

Nathan Horton grew up in Dunnville, Ontario. He played minor hockey with the Welland Tigers. Later, he joined the Toronto Red Wings in the Greater Toronto Hockey League. At age 13, he moved to play for the Thorold Blackhawks Jr. B. team. He often played with older kids, including future NHL players.

Junior Hockey Career

Nathan started his junior hockey career with the Thorold Blackhawks. He scored 16 goals and had 31 assists in one season. In 2001, he was picked second overall by the Oshawa Generals in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Draft.

As a rookie in the OHL, Nathan scored 31 goals and 36 assists. Over two seasons with Oshawa, he scored 64 goals and made 71 assists. In the 2002–03 season, he missed some games but still scored 33 goals and 35 assists. He was invited to the Canadian national junior team camp.

The 2003 NHL Draft

In 2002, experts saw Nathan Horton as a top player for the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Many thought he would be a top-five pick. Scouts compared him to strong players like John LeClair. Nathan himself felt he was more like faster players such as Jeremy Roenick.

The Florida Panthers traded their first pick to get the third pick. With that pick, they chose Nathan Horton. Two other players, Marc-André Fleury and Eric Staal, were chosen before him.

Playing for the Florida Panthers

Nathan signed with the Panthers in October 2003. His coach, Mike Keenan, thought he would be a great player. On October 24, he got his first NHL point. On November 1, he scored his first NHL goal.

On January 9, 2004, Nathan made history. He was the first rookie to score a goal on a penalty shot. A few days later, he hurt his shoulder. 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. Nathan played for the San Antonio Rampage, the Panthers' minor league team. He scored his first AHL goal in his second game. He also got another shoulder injury and needed surgery again. He played 21 games, scoring 5 goals and 4 assists.

Horton with the Florida Panthers in November 2007

For the 2005–06 season, Nathan felt stronger. He scored the first goal for the Panthers in their season opener. He got a knee injury in November but returned in December. He scored two goals against the Chicago Blackhawks. On December 13, he scored his first career hat-trick (three goals in one game). He ended the season with 28 goals and 19 assists in 71 games.

Nathan signed a new contract with Florida in 2006. He scored his first goal of the season against the Boston Bruins. His coach moved him to the fourth line for a short time. But soon, he was back on the first line. He scored the winning goal in overtime against Tampa Bay in February. He finished the season with 31 goals and 31 assists in all 82 games.

In 2007, Nathan signed a big six-year contract with the Panthers. He started the 2007–08 NHL season with a four-game point streak. He scored two goals in a game for the first time since 2007. On January 22, 2008, he had a career-high four assists. He scored two overtime goals in March, earning him the nickname "King of Overtime." On April 5, he scored his 100th career goal.

Horton standing next to teammate Ville Peltonen in February 2009

Before the 2008–09 NHL season, Nathan moved from playing right wing to centre. He found centre more challenging because it has more responsibilities. In November, he played his 300th career game. He suffered a deep cut in his leg from a skate. He missed eight games but returned in December. He finished the season with 22 goals and 23 assists in 67 games.

Time with the Boston Bruins

Horton with the Boston Bruins in January 2012

On June 22, 2010, Nathan Horton was traded to the Boston Bruins. He started strong with seven goals and six assists in his first 12 games. He finished second on the team in goals.

In the 2011 playoffs, Nathan was a hero. He scored game-winning goals in overtime against the Montreal Canadiens. He also scored the only goal in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. This goal sent the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Finals.

In Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals, Nathan was seriously injured. A player from the Vancouver Canucks hit him hard. He was taken off the ice on a stretcher. He was diagnosed with a severe concussion and missed the rest of the finals. Even though he couldn't play, he was able to lift the Stanley Cup after the Bruins won Game 7.

On January 22, 2012, Nathan got another concussion. This injury kept him out for the rest of the season and playoffs.

Nathan returned for the 2012–13 season in January 2013. He scored 13 goals and 9 assists in 43 games. In the 2013 playoffs, he helped the Bruins reach the Stanley Cup Finals again. They lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in six games. Nathan had 7 goals and 12 assists in 22 playoff games. After this season, he decided not to re-sign with the Bruins.

Joining the Columbus Blue Jackets

On July 5, 2013, Nathan signed a seven-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He had shoulder surgery and didn't play until January 2, 2014. In his first game with the Blue Jackets, he scored the winning goal.

On March 10, 2014, Nathan scored a goal against the Dallas Stars. Soon after, a Dallas player collapsed on the bench. The game was stopped. When the game restarted later, Nathan was injured and couldn't play. But his goal from the original game still counted! This made him the only NHL player known to score in a game he didn't actually play in.

In October 2014, Nathan was diagnosed with a serious back injury. This injury ended his season and eventually his career.

With the Toronto Maple Leafs

On February 26, 2015, Nathan was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was on the long-term injured list and couldn't play. This trade helped the Maple Leafs with their team budget rules. Nathan never played a single game for the Maple Leafs because of his injury.

Personal 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 Achievements

OHL Awards

NHL Awards