Player of the Week - Nathan Horton

For a player that had never experienced the intensity and pressure of the NHL playoffs before this season, Nathan Horton has done an impressive job at making it seem like an easy transition. With two Game 7, series clinching goals on his resume in just his first foray into the spring madness, Horton has embraced each situation and been a crucial part of the Bruins run to the Stanley Cup final.

When Horton was acquired by the Boston Bruins in the summer of 2010, fans in the “Hub” of hockey felt that he was the exact type of player the Bruins had been yearning for. A big, strong forward with incredible offensive instincts and a world-class shot, Horton looked right at home in the spoked ‘B’ in Boston. After a strong start where he electrified the crowds in the Czech Republic with his scoring abilities, Nathan settled into the Bruins line-up, having some ups and downs, but working on developing chemistry with linemates like Milan Lucic and David Krejci. Nathan was instrumental in helping the Bruins capture the Northeast Division crown in the regular season, and following that accolade, he stepped onto the playoff stage for the first time in his career in the storied Bruins/Habs rivalry. He was quickly introduced to the madness that is the Stanley Cup playoffs and after falling behind Montreal 2-0 early in their first round series, Nathan and the Bruins found their stride and have not looked back.

With his size and skill, it is certain that Nathan will need to be a factor in the Stanley Cup Final for the Bruins to emerge victorious. If he finds the score-sheet early in the series, then the fans in Boston could very well see Nathan finish the last games of the season the same way he started the 2010-11 NHL campaign; as the game’s 1st star.

• Nathan is coming off a strong Eastern Conference Final where he helped the Bruins advance past the Lightning with 3 points in the last 2 games of the series
• He has recorded to Game 7, game-winning goals in this, his first taste of NHL playoff hockey
• Is a member of Boston’s big, physical and offensively dangerous line with Milan Lucic and David Krejci

BIOGRAPHY:

• Born in Welland, Ontario, Canada on May 29, 1985
• Drafted in the 1st round, 3rd overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft
• Has scored 348 points in 502 career NHL games with Florida and Boston
• Married to Canadian model, Tammy Plante, who is also a native of Welland, Ontario