Bo Horvat expressed his gratitude to New York Islanders supporters after they chanted the trade acquisition's name during his home debut with the club Tuesday night.
"It was pretty amazing," Horvat said postgame. "I haven't had a chant like that in a building that loud in, I don't think ever."
The fans at UBS Arena gave Horvat a standing ovation after he scored his first goal for the Islanders in his second game with the squad.
"(It) definitely felt good to get (the goal) in my first game at home," Horvat said.
Spectators chanted his name again following New York's 4-0 victory over the Seattle Kraken.
Horvat later expanded on how much it meant to get a warm welcome in his new home.
Islanders forward Mathew Barzal set up Horvat's goal and said the newcomer's arrival has put some pep in his step.
"I feel like I have a little extra juice," Barzal said, according to AM New York's Joe Pantorno.
The Islanders landed Horvat in a trade with the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 30. He represented his new club at the All-Star game in Florida before even suiting up for the Isles due to the timing of the swap. New York signed the 27-year-old to an eight-year contract extension Sunday, and he made his debut with the team in a road win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night.
Horvat was a pending unrestricted free agent before inking his new pact. He ranks among the league's goal-scoring leaders with 32 tallies in 51 games this season. He also has 23 assists.
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